We cannot selectively numb our emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.
- Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to be and Embrace Who You Are
Big Emotions = Vulnerability
How marvelous was U.S. figure skater Ashley Wagner’s vulnerability today at the Sochi Games? We got to expereince her BIG EMOTIONS. In a matter of seconds, Ashley showed us pure joy, extreme gratitude and then, shock, disappointment, even disgust.
Some might say that Wagner showed too much emotion, that stoicism is the appropriate ‘professional’ response. Sound familiar?
Have you been told that to get ahead or get along that BIG EMOTIONS are a BIG FAT NO-NO? That showing your emotions is a vulnerability that you cannot afford, especially as a working woman?
inCourage Reflections
Dr. Brene Brown spent a decade studying vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame. You’ve likely seen her 2010 TEDx Houston talk (12 million views!) or read her 2012 best-selling book, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead.
Three awesome Brown quotes give us fodder for reflection this week:
HAVE YOU ALLOWED YOURSELF TO BE BROKEN-HEARTED?
“ I think our capacity for wholeheartedness can never be greater than our willingness to be broken-hearted. It means engaging in the world from a place of vulnerability and worthiness.”
HAS THE MESSAGE THAT BEING VULNERABLE IS BEING WEAK INFILTRATED YOUR SOUL AND YOUR BEING?
“ Vulnerability is not weakness. And that myth is profoundly dangerous.”
HAVE YOU CAUGHT THE ‘CRAZY-BUSY’ NUMBING VIRUS?
“ Crazy-busy is a great armor, it’s a great way for numbing. What a lot of us do is that we stay so busy, and so out in front of our life, that the truth of how we’re feeling and what we really need can’t catch up with us.”
I loved being on Ashley’s great BIG EMOTIONS ride. She definitely connected with the world for who can withstand such touching vulnerability?
This week, reflect and give yourself the freedom to be vulnerable too!
#PeaceHug, Jone
(Images from Getty and USA Today for Yahoo.)
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