Lately I've been revisiting the concept of "shame." Shame occurs when one is made to feel less worthy than anyone else and typically due to a perceived flaw or mistake or some other eccentricity. Most of us are survivors of shame--we can all remember a time in our lives when something about us was revealed and we reacted by wanting to hide or disappear.

In the 1970s it was popular for parents to intentionally "shame" children out of behaviors. I remember a younger family member who carried a security blanket longer than her parents thought she should. And so all family members were encouraged to ridicule her. Even typing that anecdote brings some memory of pain for her suffering.

Virginia Satir wrote the Five Freedoms:

1. The freedom to see and hear what is here, instead of what “should” be, was, or will be.
2. The freedom to say what you feel and think, instead of what you “should” feel and think.
3. The freedom to feel what you feel, instead of what you “ought” to feel.
4. The freedom to ask for what you want, instead of always waiting for permission.
5. The freedom to take risks on you own behalf, instead of choosing to be only “secure.”

I can think of no other set of affirmations that can be so life-changing than these five freedoms. Allowing them would result in a world of authenticity--no more hiding, no more closets, no more "playing it safe for others."

Today's challenge: choose at least one of the Five Freedoms and make it today's mantra.