As I mentioned in an earlier post, Coach Nicole gave me an envelope for each Paris for me to open when I got there. She is very wise especially in light of her youth. She outdid herself with the Paris, Kentucky envelope. I’d like to share the “manifesto” she shared with me from Brene Brown. In better words than I could find myself, it answers one of the questions that have bothered me so.
The Manifesto of the Brave and Brokenhearted
There is no greater threat to the critics
and the cynics and fearmongers
than those of us who are willing to fall
because we have learned how to rise.
With skinned knees and bruised hearts;
we choose owning our stories of struggle,
over hiding, over hustling, over pretending.
When we deny our stories, they define us.
When we run from struggle, we are never free.
So we turn toward truth and look it in the eye.
We will not be characters in our stories.
Not villains, not victims, not even heroes.
We are the authors of our lives.
We write our own daring endings.
We craft love from heartbreak,
compassion from shame,
grave from disappointment,
courage from failure.
Showing up is our power.
Story is our way home. Truth is our song.
We are the brave and broken-hearted.
We are risIng strong.
I am so grateful for my friends and those that I have loved. It took me a long time (60 years?) to learn this lesson. I plan to use it every day from now on.
Anchors up and jumping right in!