Casual Convos with Claire

Derived from the Turkish “Merak” (Labor of love, to do something with pleasure), came a Greek word Meraki which is when you leave a piece of yourself (your soul, creativity, or love) in your work. When you love doing something, so much that you put something of yourself into it. I love this definition. I think that this is inevitable for anyone who is any type of creator. How could you not? This is probably why I am really good at arguing for something I believe in and less so for something I don't. I'm ok with not being a good debater. If you've known me for a while I would say that I'm not a "creative arts" person. If you asked me to draw a picture, I could draw a stereotypical apple tree, the kind you learned in elementary art class. And I can draw stick figures, although they're usually disproportionate so who knows really 😂.  But in trying to find ways to fill up my cup, feed my soul, and distress, surprisingly I've found that I really like ...

Vulnerability, it's the epitome of an authentic beloved relationship. Dr. Brené Brown says this great quote in her book Daring Greatly. She says, “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they're never weakness.” Recently, I've been thinking a lot about this and what it means to share our most intimate stories. Stories of sadness, pain, trauma, guilt, and shame. These are difficult stories to share. Why is it so easy to tell someone about something joyful and successful rather than a sorrow or failure? I'm not saying it doesn't happen. But I do think that in this society it happens less. We judge and assume before knowing the whole story. The only times where I have seen courageous people being vulnerable with one another is when there has been an intention set in place. Why do we have to say that we're not going to judge you for what you tell us? Can't this be something that is...