We all carry around our share of shame-debris.
That is, unless we grew up in a perfect environment with perfect parents, perfect siblings, perfect everybody, or—let’s face it—planted on a perfect planet.
Recently, I discovered a video where Brené Brown makes us feel pretty normal about our shame. She also makes us feel normal about our fear of appearing vulnerable to others.
In our culture, we tend to idolize the John Wayne-cool-tough-and-numb look—mischaracterizing it as strength. But Brené elevates vulnerability to a strength: “Vulnerability is not weakness,” in fact, “vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.”
If you watch the video, you’ll soon see, as I have, that Brené has the courage to get naked. She’s my new role model.
I agree that sounds great, but the fact of the matter is that there are very few people that are safe to be vulnerable around. Truth is, you stick your nose out there, you’re likely to get it shot off. Unless you’re the man of steel, you have to use a great deal of discernment in choosing who to make yourself vulnerable to. I think the most productive thing an individual can do in this regard is to try one’s best to BE a safe person for others to be vulnerable with. As more people make this a priority, maybe we’ll begin to move in the right direction as a society.
I’ve seen her speak before Salee.. and I agree with just about all she has to say.