365 Ways To Wellbeing – 308th Way
Some time ago I told you that I´ve found music in a deeper level this autumn. Another thing has been reading. I´ve started to read again with a thought, the kind of books that would help me to grow and feel better. So that I could learn more about life and myself.
I already recommended you Matthieu Ricard´s book Happiness: A guide to developing life´s most important skill. If you´re interested in personal development, read it! It´s not the most easy-to-understand book but it has been the most rewarding that I´ve read so far. I´ve read it once now but next summer I´m going to read it again because I know that I’ll find something new from it after a while.
This day I finished another book I also want to recommend for you. It´s Brenè Brown´s The Gifts of Imperfections.
“Brené Brown explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, “No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough,” and to go to bed at night thinking, “Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. And, yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am worthy of love and belonging.“
Brené Brown has spent the past decade studying vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame. In other words all the things that get in the way of joy, meaning and connection. All the dark emotions that get in the way of leading a fuller and happier life.
“I´d love to skip over the hard stuff, but it just doesn´t work.
We don´t change, we don´t grow, and we don´t move forward without the work.
If we really want to live a joyful, connected and meaningful life,
we must talk about things that get in the way.
That is so true! I couldn´t agree more! I said to myself after reading those sentences from Brené`s book. I smiled. I realized that what Brené is talking about has been in my life for past 6 months! It is exactly the things, dark emotions like fear and shame, that have gotten in the way of my happiness and wellbeing!
Processing and talking about the hard stuff in life is anything but easy. And if you haven´t done it before at all, it´s even more difficult. However it is so worth it to start! Have the courage to start to DIGG DEEP like Brené says! Because when you handle the things, the dark emotions, that has got in the way, you learn to control them, share them and live with them. In other words by taking control over the dark emotions they don´t get in the way your wellbeing and happiness anymore!
This day I realized how REWARDING this last 6 months has actually been. Even thought I’ve had the hardest time of my life, I´ve learnt so much about myself. And of life along the process. And I´m only in the beginning right now 😉 There is a saying that “Everything that doesn´t kill you, makes you stronger“. It is so true what comes to handling with the dark stuff in life!
So don´t let the dark emotions, like your fears and the things you´re ashamed of, to grow inside your head. Have courage to share your feelings with your loved one and/or your closest friends! It´s an incredible feeling when you´ll notice that by talking about your dark emotions, they start to shrink in your head and you’ll be able to have a right perspective on them. You´ll also notice that you´re not any different than any other person. That you´re as human as everyone else. With all good and bad features that we all have.
Btw. Brene´s book is very down to earth and easy to understand. I just love her style! I recommend!
Read more about my “Wellbeing Challenge 2013 – 365 Ways To Wellbeing”.
