Posts Tagged ‘shame’
One Person Can Change the System (Part 2)
What if it’s their fault? “What if my parents don’t cooperate?” A friend asked me this question when I told her about the coaching course I was leading this summer. The course is designed to help adults improve their relationship with their parents, and a number of people expressed similar concerns when they heard my…
Read MoreThe Importance of Incompetence
Embracing Incompetence I’ve taught piano lessons a few times as a side gig, and one thing that new students always seems to have in common is that they get frustrated with their “lack of progress.” This is especially true for adult students. It can be their first lesson – they have never touched a piano…
Read MoreAcceptance & Vulnerability
The Fear of Being Seen One of my oldest, strongest longings is the desire to be deeply known. This might surprise people who knew me as a child, because I was very reserved in most settings and rarely offered up information about myself. In fact, the thought of drawing people’s attention terrified me. I read…
Read MoreWhen Encouragement Doesn’t Work: A Story of Shame
If you follow our blog, then you’ve heard about the transition we’re currently walking through at Body Oak Cliff. (If you missed it – read about Joel’s departure here.) As you can probably imagine, this change has stirred up a lot for me – grief about not working as closely with Joel, insecurity about my…
Read MorePresence & Longing (Advent 2017)
All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene. (1 Cor. 1:7) Thanksgiving was a really hard day for me this year. People always say that the holidays can be hard, but I’d never felt it as acutely as…
Read MoreCelebrating Growth (Fall 2017)
This past Sunday evening, celebration was in the air! Over the past 6 months, seventeen participants met biweekly at Big Blue and journeyed through Body Oak Cliff’s Formation and Leadership processes. The groups were co-led by Deborah Cunningham, Rachel Kramer, Joel Pulis, and Christy Tyree, and represented our largest cohort over the past…
Read MoreWhat You Don’t Know You Don’t Know
Quick: think of 3 things that you know. Here’s mine, off the top of my head: I know that my name is Deborah. I know that 2+2=4. I know how to drive a car. Now think of 3 things that you don’t know. Again, off the top of my head: I don’t know how to…
Read MoreVulnerability: For Me, AND for You
Vulnerability is the only bridge to build connection. – Brené Brown I recently started seeing a counselor every week. It was time. Since Laura’s death, I’ve sought support from numerous sources: friends and family, meditation and other spiritual practices, a grief support group, and off and on, seeking professional help. Overall, I’ve been doing pretty…
Read More