Courage, Compassion, Connection

Courage, Compassion, Connection

I’m lucky to be taking a wonderful e-course with Brene Brown, a sociologist who studies shame, vulnerability and wholehearted living.

Like Brene, I believe every human has had an experience of being shamed at one time or another in their life, if not multiple times.

This can have a big impact on our lives, showing up as perfectionism, stunted creativity, workaholism and a plethora of other addictive behaviors—not to mention a deep sense of loneliness.

Dissolving your shame requires courage—huge doses of courage!

The Virgo in me counts my mistakes, as if counting would remove them. But in reality, the more we own them, the more they provide a gateway to our juiciest soul-filled experience of self through courage, compassion and connection. At times we are able to help others and at times they are here to help us.  We are not better or worse. No, instead we are in constant connection, giving and receiving compassion when we are grounded in the gifts of our imperfection.

Practice

Give yourself permission to do to your best AND fail or make a mistake.  The next time you make a mistake, admit it, not just to yourself.  Make a point to speak with the person directly and apologize. The next time you fail yourself, acknowledge it to someone and ask them to help you see it as step towards your success.