Brene Brown and the entire kitchen sink
I have mini panic attacks that my advisor is going to me angry with me. I keep finding elements that have to be a part of my dissertation. Right now it feels like I've got all these extremities of work and yet I sorely need them to be a body. So far I have:
- Spirituality
- Leadership
- Creativity
- Grief
- Decision Making
While that does not seem like a lot...it's a lot. What is even more frustrating is that I have become increasingly more patient through uncertainty, despite myself really. I have developed the ability to sit and wait for things to unfold rather than force them or manipulate them in any way. So, I'm waiting, and in the meantime I think my advisor is going to kill me.
Very few writers, researchers, "storytellers", have influenced me in the way that Brene Brown has; mind you this is an extremely recent thing, too. The way that she talks about her work, the way that she conducts her research it does not seem like work! It looks joyous, and fulfilling, and there is so much passion in that work--she's inspirational on different levels. And while I realize that she has been researching for many years, it appealed to me, and I cannot do it any other way. Again, my advisor...
When I think of what I want to do, the outcome of my own work, I want to understand the role that spirituality plays in the decision making process. In that, I believe I will find themes of guilt, grief, creativity, and self-care practices along with many others--I am open to being surprised. I also assume that as people are more developmentally mature, they will experience and describe spirituality in very different ways. I definitely find that where we are in life greatly shapes the perspective we have on it.
My work is on the individual, but it is about a collective. Are "we" recognizing that "we" are connected to one another? Do I consider this connectedness when I made decisions? Do others? My guess here would be that if there is an external consideration that it is likely family, or if its a professional decision, the system or organization. However, how many people are thinking globally? Jung describes the presence of a collective unconscious and I wonder how many people not just know about it, but live in constant awareness of it?
Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning and purpose to our lives.” ― Brené Brown,The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
When I heard Brene speak about her work, specifically her experience with her research topics, I felt like I was given permission to be present in my own work. Honestly, how could you not be? There is something in us all that draws us to our passions, our vocations. I loved that her cognitive aptitude did not excuse her from the very human experience of shame that she was studying. I love that she admitted that.
If I sit back and think about what got me to this topic it was literally a moment sitting in Terri's office crying thinking, "How did I get to this place? How did I arrive here?" My answer, that came later, was that a series of very spiritually governed decisions led me here. And an idea was born. Brene says to "dance with the one who brung you." And for me it is going to be those two things: spirit and choice.
Perhaps it'll be as "simple" as this: Understanding the role of Spirituality in Decision-Making: A Comparative study between Student Affairs Professionals, and Tenure-Track University Faculty. And perhaps it won't.
One last thought, Brene mentioned that shame will often try to make us question ourselves by asking, "Who do you think you are?" I experienced that earlier this week, and earlier this month. Those moments where I call out my audacity, and side-eye myself. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE. My mind answered in a small tiny quiet faux-humble voice and began, "I am just..." and my heart said with great certainty, NO. You are ANYTHING but "just". And I liked that answer. I told it to shame and I haven't heard anything since.
Sincerely, Jess, "Anything but Just" J.