Walk Inside Your Story and Own It

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Kristen Chase 2 hours ago in Healthy Living

I'm neither a quote person nor a TED Talk watcher, but sometimes, some words are too compelling for me to ignore. That's exactly how I feel about Brene' Brown, a mom, author, researcher, and vulnerability expert.

If you're like me and you've always felt like you're on the outside of your life looking in, then you really need to read this. And even if you're completely self-actualized (congratulations!), her words are important to parents too.

I'm not quite sure at what point I found myself as an outsider in my own life, but there have been many moments over the years where I've felt like a benched player on the sidelines. Whether it's simple things, like not wanting to try something new for fear of failure, or serious issues, like confronting my own demons (or the demons of others that are affecting me), I've been there. And I've wished for many years that I would just get over it, not give a crap about what anyone else thought, and truly lived my life.

That all changed when I heard Brene' Brown speak at Mom 2.0 a couple of years ago. I admit to flipping through her book, but like most of my hobbies, it got put aside for work and kids. A worthy sacrifice.

But honestly, it wasn't until recently that I finally dug up her Listening to Shame TED Talk and watched with intention that my life was truly changed. All those years of living with fear of failure and the inability to step outside my comfort zone were completely changed with these words:

You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story & hustle for your worthiness. 

I've spent most of my parenting years feeling not worthy: Of my amazing children, of my own happiness, of our wonderful life together. Much of it has to do with a damaged childhood where love was conditional and good things always seemed to end or be taken away from me.

The idea of taking a risk was not even an option because my everyday life seemed so risky. And I was never quite sure if anyone would be there to catch me if I fell.

But thanks to Brene', I have to say I've got a better handle on my life intention, not just as a parent but my own person. And quite frankly, I'm tired of standing outside, doing exactly what she said: Hustling for my own worthiness.

It's your story. OWN IT. Then go live the awesome life you were meant to live.

What's your life quote?

Image via RickPiggott/Flickr

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kristen Chase

is a writer, sex book author, and mom of four. She has absolutely no hobbies, unless you count obsessing over Ryan Reynolds, cleaning Sharpie off the walls, and Twitter. 

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