Show Up and Be Seen

I love Brené Brown.  She is a PhD research professor that has spent the last decade studying vulnerability, courage, worthiness and shame.  She did a TedTV talk that is a favorite of mine if you are interested. Brené Brown on Vulnerability
Well worth 20 minutes of your time, in my opinion.  

Among other things, Brené discusses vulnerability and how necessary it is if you want to live an authentic life and find true connection.  I talk a lot about wanting to lead an authentic life, but I recently have found myself covering how I really feel, both with myself and others, because I felt shame about the emotions I was having.  It "shouldn't" bother me so much that I can't work out.  I "shouldn't" be so worried about what I will look like if I don't.  I "shoudn't"...

Shame is a powerful thing.  It can rob us of the ability to have compassion towards ourselves.  At least it does for me.  I like to think I have compassion for others, but when it comes to myself...not so much.  

Then a friend posted this...

In a very palm-to-forehead kind of moment, I thought...of course.  Being willing to vulnerable allows for a deeper connection.  And I want that.  So this blog is the embodiment of the courage to be imperfect.  And yes, it feels a little like I am naked in public ;-)