What a lovely & thought- provoking piece, Jena. Thank you! The reflection on shame brings up so many occasions of being in circles with women and discussing what we’d like to let go of during a session or ceremony. There are so many common issues weighing us down time after time that we all carry until we have gone through enough cycles of repeated attempts to let go they will start to fade away over time. I am personally still finding the bandaids getting ripped off of issues I thought were resolved long ago, and have to keep working on them.
I loved your poem featured in the other publication, and feel very aligned with your words. Congratulations!
In closing your musings on shame brought up a piece written by author Patti Digh entitled “Your Beautiful” I would love to share with you if I can find the link. Brightest Blessings 🙏🏻🌟🪷
Thank you for this question. So interesting that the very thing I love about myself is also a source of deep-rooted shame. Almost 20 years ago I left a good-paying job and stable career path to heed the entrepreneurial voice in my head whose whispers had become a shout. I'm proud of what I've accomplished in all that time and yet it's come at significant cost (i.e. personal financial stability). There's long been a competing voice in my head with its sinister whispers about self-indulgence and the financial burden I've placed on my partner. How can I raise my children to believe they can and should follow their dreams when I struggle with shame about following my own? This, by the way, is precisely what my "self-indulgent" work has been about all these years -- working to change capitalism and financial systems toward more balanced and equitable opportunities for all, not just those who, as you say, were "either born into or come into identities or positions that equal more privilege...." If we can ever de-couple things like success, self-actualization, and abundance from purely financial measurements the world will be a very different -- much better -- place.
Such a relevant reflection, Jena - as you said for most people. I think we carry around collective shame in whatever community or identity in which we identify and we also carry our private collections of ways we think we've fucked up and struggle to release because as you said, our society capitalizes on our being stuck in discontent and shame because it usually feeds capitalism which I think is unique to the US. In a very simple nutshell. I think other countries breed or encourage different types self-loathing because of their history and political landscape. In Norway, for example, there's more pressure to be the same and not stand out and not embarrass yourself or be too proud. On a very personal level I want to parse out what is the harmful shame voice inside me - to be outright rejected and what could be the beginnings of different voice: "Dear, let's look at this. Let's find out why you carry this, where it comes from and how to lay down. Let me help you." I wonder what would happened if we all approached ourselves as we would the very best friend in the world. Wouldn't that be a radical response to the drive toward self-hate which so easily leads to loathing others. Random thoughts...Happy Friday.
What a lovely & thought- provoking piece, Jena. Thank you! The reflection on shame brings up so many occasions of being in circles with women and discussing what we’d like to let go of during a session or ceremony. There are so many common issues weighing us down time after time that we all carry until we have gone through enough cycles of repeated attempts to let go they will start to fade away over time. I am personally still finding the bandaids getting ripped off of issues I thought were resolved long ago, and have to keep working on them.
I loved your poem featured in the other publication, and feel very aligned with your words. Congratulations!
In closing your musings on shame brought up a piece written by author Patti Digh entitled “Your Beautiful” I would love to share with you if I can find the link. Brightest Blessings 🙏🏻🌟🪷
Thank you for this question. So interesting that the very thing I love about myself is also a source of deep-rooted shame. Almost 20 years ago I left a good-paying job and stable career path to heed the entrepreneurial voice in my head whose whispers had become a shout. I'm proud of what I've accomplished in all that time and yet it's come at significant cost (i.e. personal financial stability). There's long been a competing voice in my head with its sinister whispers about self-indulgence and the financial burden I've placed on my partner. How can I raise my children to believe they can and should follow their dreams when I struggle with shame about following my own? This, by the way, is precisely what my "self-indulgent" work has been about all these years -- working to change capitalism and financial systems toward more balanced and equitable opportunities for all, not just those who, as you say, were "either born into or come into identities or positions that equal more privilege...." If we can ever de-couple things like success, self-actualization, and abundance from purely financial measurements the world will be a very different -- much better -- place.
Love the photo! Can’t wait to read the rest of it! Shabbat Shalom!
Such a relevant reflection, Jena - as you said for most people. I think we carry around collective shame in whatever community or identity in which we identify and we also carry our private collections of ways we think we've fucked up and struggle to release because as you said, our society capitalizes on our being stuck in discontent and shame because it usually feeds capitalism which I think is unique to the US. In a very simple nutshell. I think other countries breed or encourage different types self-loathing because of their history and political landscape. In Norway, for example, there's more pressure to be the same and not stand out and not embarrass yourself or be too proud. On a very personal level I want to parse out what is the harmful shame voice inside me - to be outright rejected and what could be the beginnings of different voice: "Dear, let's look at this. Let's find out why you carry this, where it comes from and how to lay down. Let me help you." I wonder what would happened if we all approached ourselves as we would the very best friend in the world. Wouldn't that be a radical response to the drive toward self-hate which so easily leads to loathing others. Random thoughts...Happy Friday.
What if...? This is everything I want. Thank you.