Week 11 – What can happen under the influence of shame.
Greetings!
This week marks the first lesson in my yearlong webinar based on “The Art of Extreme Self Care.” The topic is called “End the Legacy of Deprivation,” and you can still register to join us here. Be sure to use the priority code 5845 to receive a $50 discount. (You’ll receive an email with the downloadable class that day and you’ll have access to all of the archives!)
Also, I’m heading to London for our Speak, Write, Promote weekend workshop (May 31st- June 1st) and a one-day workshop called Self Care Boot Camp for coaches and the general public on June 7th. You can find more info on both programs here.
I’m live on the radio on Monday (3/10) at 5pm ET/2pm PT and I’ll be taking your calls at (866) 254-1579. You can listen at HayHouseRadio.com.
Have a great week!
Love,
Cheryl
p.s. – Need a little Divine Direction? Use the “Touch of Grace” button on our homepage here.
Topic of the Week
What can happen under the influence of shame.
Yesterday I had a shame attack.
I woke up after a long night’s sleep, recovering from leading a five-day retreat, and found a post on Facebook from an angry participant who called me rude and suggested that I was a fraud.
Ouch.
I finished reading the post (about ten times in the hopes that I was misreading the message and it would magically transform into something nice), and soon felt the familiar fire of shame rise up from my stomach into my face, scorching everything in its path.
A public slap down.
Humiliated.
Embarrassed.
Feeling exposed.
A horrible human being for hurting someone’s feelings.
I lay in bed for a long time racking my brains to remember the person and the encounter, but I had no recollection whatsoever.
So, I deleted the post and went back to sleep in an effort to escape the death grip of shame.
That’s when something magical happened.
For the first time since her death, my friend Debbie Ford came to me in a dream. I didn’t see her but I could feel her presence and then I heard…
“You are rude, Cheryl.
And you’re a bitch, too.
And while we’re at it,
sometimes you can be short with people,
and a little too critical,
and harsh and abrupt
in ways that hurt.”
I listened as she filled my consciousness with her words.
“Until you can embrace this truth about yourself, you’ll always be afraid of hearing it from others. Remember, we are all everything and what you can’t be with won’t let you be.”
I woke from the dream feeling a wave of cool relief wash over me.
Debbie was right.
I am rude.
I am harsh and critical.
I am abrupt and impatient and too quick to cut people off sometimes, especially with the pressure of managing a large group experience.
And while I would never intentionally hurt anyone, the truth is I sometimes do.
There you have it.
It’s not easy to look at the unattractive parts of us. They feel shameful and embarrassing. But face them and embrace them we must if we’re committed to self-love and wholeness.
One thing that helps me is to see life as a school. From this perspective, everything holds an opportunity for healing – an invitation to love and accept myself (and others).
I have to be honest. I’m no longer interested in trying to be the “Queen of Nice.” It’s exhausting, not to mention impossible.
I’m more interested in being me – all of me – good and bad, light and dark, kind and crappy.
And if I hurt someone along the way, I’m truly sorry. I’m a work in progress, too.
I hope this story helps you to be softer with your rough edges. We could all use a little more love.
Thank you Debbie Ford, author of the beautiful book, The Dark Side of the Light Chasers. Thank you for keeping me on the path to wholeness, even from the other side.
I miss you dear friend…
Every single day…
#x2665;
Take Action Challenge
This week, take a few minutes to close your eyes and listen to this beautiful song. You can find it here. Thanks, Judy!
Life Makeover For The Year 2014 (sm) is written and produced by Cheryl Richardson. If you have any questions or comments, or for reprint permission of this newsletter, please email:cheryl@cherylrichardson.com.
