Unashamed!

Dear Hopeful,

Looking at the anatomy of shame, it lies in the acceptance that what has happened is concluded and whether secret or open shame; the action(s) is now complete, and the outcome is shame.

On the other side of shame, is the acknowledgement that what has happened, while being shameful, is not the conclusion of the matter and that beyond the event, there is room to learn, for a second chance, for us to move on from that incident into better things due to what we learnt.

Hope is at the intersection of shame and growth; it is the driving force that keeps us optimistic irrespective of what happened in the past.

Hope tells us to acknowledge our flaws, and to dare to dream of greatness. To own our mistakes, with the mindset of the serenity prayer - accepting what we cannot change, changing what we can, knowing the difference and charting a way forward despite the setbacks.

I hope we finally learn, that there really, truly is nothing to be ashamed of; because on the other side of shame are life transforming lessons and inspiring stories of growth, grit and greatness.

Keep living life UNASHAMED!

Yours Hopefully,

Lenny Akindo