“Nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as believing that I’m standing on the outside of my life looking in and wondering what it would be like if I had the courage to show up and let myself be seen.”
Brene Brown
I first heard of Brene Brown when I listened to her TED talk on Vulnerability. She spoke beautifully and made a lot of sense.
This quote is one of those that goes right to the heart. It lands somewhere deep inside and says pay attention, think about this, your life is precious and you have to live it.
I almost ache when I read the opening words, about how awful it feels to stand on the outside of your life. I get such a feeling of despair at the thought of not living the life you deserve to live. Of course, sometimes all sorts of reasons (like earning money) and choices can keep us from living the dream-life, but I think these words are more about living an authentic life wherever life finds you at the moment.
I am so glad that I have moved to a point where I feel as if I am inside my life, living and doing the things that matter to me. We made some big decisions nine years ago - to leave well-paying jobs with status, to try to live a fuller life, a life where we could spend time on things that matter, where we could stop and enjoy the beauty of the world around us, where we could be present with people and not just rushing by on our way to a meeting, where we could go out and enjoy a coffee with friends rather than put them off for the fifth time because work got in the way...
It meant a significant drop in income, being more vulnerable around financial security, but I can honestly say it feels like we've shown up to our lives and can be seen, and I wouldn't change a thing.
Columbus Circle, New York City looking out from inside...
Brene Brown
I first heard of Brene Brown when I listened to her TED talk on Vulnerability. She spoke beautifully and made a lot of sense.
This quote is one of those that goes right to the heart. It lands somewhere deep inside and says pay attention, think about this, your life is precious and you have to live it.
I almost ache when I read the opening words, about how awful it feels to stand on the outside of your life. I get such a feeling of despair at the thought of not living the life you deserve to live. Of course, sometimes all sorts of reasons (like earning money) and choices can keep us from living the dream-life, but I think these words are more about living an authentic life wherever life finds you at the moment.
I am so glad that I have moved to a point where I feel as if I am inside my life, living and doing the things that matter to me. We made some big decisions nine years ago - to leave well-paying jobs with status, to try to live a fuller life, a life where we could spend time on things that matter, where we could stop and enjoy the beauty of the world around us, where we could be present with people and not just rushing by on our way to a meeting, where we could go out and enjoy a coffee with friends rather than put them off for the fifth time because work got in the way...
It meant a significant drop in income, being more vulnerable around financial security, but I can honestly say it feels like we've shown up to our lives and can be seen, and I wouldn't change a thing.
Columbus Circle, New York City looking out from inside...
This has resonated so much. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Gina - I'm pleased that thoughts can resonate across the waves and the air...go well.
DeleteThis really hits home with me. I'm so glad the choices you made have worked out for you. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharmon - it can hit hard can't it? I feel fortunate every day that our choices have worked out - my life feel so very different having made this decision...
DeleteTo BE...that is a skill that is worth having.
ReplyDeleteYou're right Jo - and something that I need reminding of often...go well!
Deletea gorgeous image and piece of writing. this idea is one i think upon very much. in fact i just found a dalai lama quote re: something similar (i'll put it on the flag blog). and brene brown - i keep running into her depth but have yet to pick up a book - i think it might just be time.
ReplyDeletethey do say that fortune favors the brave - and here you are, a beautiful example of just that.
Thanks MJ. Its interesting how things come together, and that as you say you keep running in to some folk...It felt kind of brave, but at the same time I think I knew I wouldn't really survive all that well if we stayed, so it always felt right, but nonetheless was scary and hard at times...go well.
DeleteSuch a powerful and impactful quote. I also love the choice of image and caption.
ReplyDeleteThanks Seth. It really rang true for me. I kept looking for a photo that was me looking out, not me on the outside looking in...
DeleteBrene Brown wrote the foreword to Amanda Palmer's "The Art of Asking" which is an interesting expansion of her TED talk from 2013-
ReplyDeletehttp://blog.ted.com/2014/11/19/amanda-palmer-on-expanding-her-ted-talk-into-a-book/
they both speak so well about allowing vulnerability into our lives
Interesting Mo! It is such an interesting thought and concept to explore and try and understand...thanks for the link too.
Deleteworking towards making this sort of change is terrifying and wonderful as you well know!
ReplyDeleteThe perfect description Velma! Exciting and scary all at once - can't do it, can't NOT do it! But the rewards have been great...go well.
DeleteA really strong and gutsy quote Fiona. Can feel that sick feeling one gets at the odd time when you actually feel you are on the outside of your life and not living authentically. To be missing from your own life is a great sadness - I am glad I am only there occasionally - I have had an incredibly fortunate life and been able to live much as I would have wanted. Even still - one can feel disconnected, on the outside looking in. Brene Brown and you said it so much more eloquently.
ReplyDeleteIt is strong and gusty isn't it Susan? Like you I think we all get caught up in times when we just don't feel as if we are living our lives; but fortunately for me that is mostly temporary. Nonetheless it's not a good feeling...
ReplyDelete