How sharing our imperfections paves the way to acceptance
Part of my role at the library is to do the occasional story time with young children. As a child-free person, I haven’t done a lot of story time in my life, but I think my nieces and nephews have enjoyed the odd bedtime reading from Aunty Em.
This week I did my first solo Story Time at Play in the Park. And of course, I was a little bit nervous. Nothing like having to sing in public to get the heart rate going. As the kids gathered I noticed a little boy who looked extra nervous and shy. I told him, “This is my first story time and I’m a little bit scared.” I watched his face soften as he realised he wasn’t alone in being nervous. He didn’t become the most boisterous child in the group, but he participated and I think he had a lot of fun (as did I in the end. The Hokey Pokey will do that to you!)
This past couple of weeks I’ve been spending a lot of time leading and teaching groups of people. The kids at story time of course, but also women who experience pelvic pain at some workshops I co-hosted for the Pelvic Pain Clinic, and at a mindfulness course I presented for the Wellstead CRC.
What I have witnessed is there is healing power in feeling less alone. The women who have come together form the pelvic pain clinic felt supported when they realised they aren’t the only one who experiences this invisible pain. The students at the mindfulness course felt comfort in understanding that no one can clear their mind of thoughts for long. But those short moments are worth chasing!
I know we’re not taught to share our flaws or fears, but there IS power in sharing them because learning you aren’t alone triggers self-compassion. And that’s what we all need a little bit more of.
So, perhaps next time you feel a little bit nervous at a big gathering, or at a new class, you might whisper it to the person next to you and realise you aren’t the only one.