9.13.17

So in, "The Power of Vulnerability," Brown talks about an, "opportunity for growth." This said opportunity is really most peoples way of saying, "fix this and you'll be set," or maybe its their way of keeping their minions in check, keep things from going to their head.  But what I took from this particular part of the speech, is how humans so dutifully focus on the negative aspect of life.  If your boss gave you 37 different things that you do very well, and only one thing that you could do better, why is it that humans can only find themselves looking at that one thing?  I believe the answer is the circle thingy, it is definitely at work here.  When people are told things like this, they are so caught up in themselves and can't seem to get past the fact that they are not perfect.

      Also, I think the negatives are the things that cause people the most pain, which is why we remember them so vividly.  When Brown talked about asking people about Love and belonging, the experiences and stories they had of pain and negatives were what came up.  Whether this is because the pain serves as a, "learning experience," or if it is just fear that keeps people from thinking of anything else, I don't know- but I'm thinking I am going to start looking into it.  As a whole, painful or negative memories are remembered so more vividly that happy or blissful ones.  For example, I lived in Hawaii for three years when I was very young, and one of the only graphic memories I have is when I fell off of my bike and slid right into a red ant hill.  Obviously there was no way I could have avoided that other than not falling off of my bike, but that was definitely one of the most painful experiences I had at that point in my life.  

     What I am also realizing as I grow older- and this does not necessarily relate to the lesson that we are working on right now- is that pain fades.  Falling on that ant hill when I was four years old does not seem nearly as painful now that I've had multiple surgeries.  The pain I felt when my first, "boyfriend," broke up with me, is not anywhere near comparable to the pain I felt when I thought my best friend committed suicide.  As we grow older, our cells multiply, our body heals, and our scars fade.  But, I am also learning that scars are permanent, and will never go away- and that is where vulnerability comes into play.  To be able to recognize our scars and bear them with pride, is to be able to live. To be open to new possibilities and to cherish our, "opportunities for growth," is the best way to approach life.  I'm still working on it, but hopefully my hands will unclench sometime soon. 

Have a magical evening. 

love always, Elise