where to begin? you all were fantastic after my post earlier in the week. thank you for your witness of where i am, for connecting that with where you are. and damn if we don’t all get it. it’s hard to sit in the middle of the muck, even with the zinnias blooming just outside the back door. it’s uncomfortable to feel discomfort and to sit patiently with swirling questions. but it’s important work. it’s good work. and it’s part of our story.
when i wrote that post, in the back of my mind were brene brown’s book, daring greatly, which i read a few months ago, her TED talk i listened to a while back, a podcast i just listened to last week. i thought i’d share those links with you, because you might enjoy them too. brene writes this in daring greatly: “…our worthiness, that core belief that we are enough, comes only when we live inside our story.”
when we live inside our story. isn’t that fantastic?!
running away from or hiding the mess does us a disservice…and, truthfully, it does a disservice to others as well. we’ve got to inhabit our lives, our stories. they are ours; only we can truly tell them. so let’s tell our stories. the messy as well as the beautiful. because at some point, there is intersection. and when we recognize that intersection, that’s where real growth is.
owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy – the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. ~brene brown
sending a little love your way, m
Michelle GD 
yes yes yes. <3 Love this… can't wait to listen to that TED talk later, too! Thanks for sharing more!
People who run are afraid of the truth-that would mean ownership-not everyone is ready-those who are-they are the ones I surround myself with.
Ah, lovely Michelle. I’m in the muck too and more tempted to run than show up right now. Love to you for your commitment and your continual grace and beauty xx
(((( Michelle )))) here’s a virtual hug from me to you – your writing, art and photography allow me to breath….does that make sense? In the face paced, cacophony where I live – I find I’m holding my breath – I get nervous and shaky —of course – ’cause I’m not breathing! ;-) but your words; your gentle, simple elegance allows me space…time…and deep breaths….thank you my friend. xoxo
This video is worth watching again. I watched it some time ago and listening again there is a lot of nodding that goes on. I love that we can be here together all caring and sharing and feeling unity. It’s very powerful. It feels so good to know we are not alone in this. Thank you for the reminder today.
I just read both posts here and hurrah for you for posting them. I feel like we are in the same place and it looks so are a lot of people.
I’m at work now but will check out all the links tomorrow when I have some down time.
Just today I thought that it felt like I was back on track. The last few month here has left me off kilter as well, but I woke up this morning with some contentment and felt I could be brave again.
I have some ventures I am looking to begin next year and you have helped me to embrace it with these last two posts. You are right, it takes a lot of courage to be brave with our true selves and put our voices out in the world to share.
thank you for this. currently living in the muck and honestly it sucks but i know i must work through it and not run away. sending you love…xoxo