As I sit down to write I feel the slight headache from a sugar rush and my pants straining from a little too much lunch. Usually I would keep this information to myself and in a world where people seem compelled to share way too much, it might seem inappropriate to tell others what should be private.
And that's what I would do if I didn't have a commitment to learning, teaching and using my own life to inspire others. I've had women who have idolized me for my wisdom and the way I demonstrate courage and strength. They are quite right to do so. I AM wise, courageous and strong. I AM committed, focused, inspiring and worthy of recognition. But that's not the whole story.
The drive for perfection that many of us have can be so subtle we don't even call it that. We say we are 'doing our best', 'following our dreams' or 'just curious'. What I've learned is that this can translate into stuffing our feelings of shame into a dark corner and hoping they don't sneak out. And shame is a powerful by-product of imperfection.
When I reveal that I too have moments of overeating, mindless activities, procrastination and self-sabotage it is to own that I am not perfect. I do really well sometimes and sometimes I just don't get it right. More and more I am being okay with that. It's not that I'm giving up and giving in; it's that I'm not shaming myself when the truth stares back at me from a mirror or in the eyes of a loved one.
Be as honest as you can owning your magnificence and your shortcomings. It's what makes us real!
And that's what I would do if I didn't have a commitment to learning, teaching and using my own life to inspire others. I've had women who have idolized me for my wisdom and the way I demonstrate courage and strength. They are quite right to do so. I AM wise, courageous and strong. I AM committed, focused, inspiring and worthy of recognition. But that's not the whole story.
The drive for perfection that many of us have can be so subtle we don't even call it that. We say we are 'doing our best', 'following our dreams' or 'just curious'. What I've learned is that this can translate into stuffing our feelings of shame into a dark corner and hoping they don't sneak out. And shame is a powerful by-product of imperfection.
When I reveal that I too have moments of overeating, mindless activities, procrastination and self-sabotage it is to own that I am not perfect. I do really well sometimes and sometimes I just don't get it right. More and more I am being okay with that. It's not that I'm giving up and giving in; it's that I'm not shaming myself when the truth stares back at me from a mirror or in the eyes of a loved one.
Be as honest as you can owning your magnificence and your shortcomings. It's what makes us real!
