“You’re shameless.”
Why is this considered a negative statement?
Isn’t shame what keeps us from raising our hand, finding our voice, and creating our art?
Wasn’t it shame that kept your mouth closed in that meeting?
Wasn’t it shame that made you crumple up that last poem and pronounce it “stupid”.
Wasn’t it shame that stood in your way when you wanted to reach out and make a new friend?
Isn’t shame a negative characteristic?
Now, is there a line here? Of course. Being completely shameless would mean it was totally okay to rip off all your clothes in the middle of TGI Fridays. Certain kinds of shame are healthy.
For the most part though, shame is toxic. It stifles our desire to be brave and take risks. It seems to me that actively pursuing the elimination of shame from our lives is something that should be celebrated, not used as an insult or put down.
So yes, be shameless.
Why is this considered a negative statement?
Isn’t shame what keeps us from raising our hand, finding our voice, and creating our art?
Wasn’t it shame that kept your mouth closed in that meeting?
Wasn’t it shame that made you crumple up that last poem and pronounce it “stupid”.
Wasn’t it shame that stood in your way when you wanted to reach out and make a new friend?
Isn’t shame a negative characteristic?
Now, is there a line here? Of course. Being completely shameless would mean it was totally okay to rip off all your clothes in the middle of TGI Fridays. Certain kinds of shame are healthy.
For the most part though, shame is toxic. It stifles our desire to be brave and take risks. It seems to me that actively pursuing the elimination of shame from our lives is something that should be celebrated, not used as an insult or put down.
So yes, be shameless.
