Brené gave me permission...

Thank you Brené for my permission slips! The first thing Brené told me to do was to make permission slips for the things that I was avoiding or afraid of or judging myself for.

1.  I give myself permission to take risks.

2.  I give myself  permission to look stupid.

3.  I give myself  permission  to be honest.

4.  I give myself permission to commit.

5.  I give myself permission to live in the gray. 

6.  I give myself permission to be filled with complexities.

The above are the things I gave myself permission to do when I started the course in 2013.

Here are the things I DIDN'T REALIZE at the time that I needed to give myself permission slips for:

           1.   Recognizing I was attracted  to women.

           2.   Falling love with a woman who was married.

           3.    Going through with my bachelorette party even though I knew  I couldn't

                     go through with the wedding.        

           4.    Breaking up with my fiancé 6 weeks before the wedding.

           5.    Hurting people I love.

           6.    Coming out.

“Hold  on!…don’t judge me and cast me out. I have a PERMISSION SLIP!"

If only I could have told all those who called me selfish and reckless and hurtful that I had a permission slip. Well, it's official: I am willing to embrace the gray. Please don't hate me. #Whatnowbrené?