We all have parts of ourselves we feel are ugly.

Parts that we think "should not" be seen in the world, and definitely not recognised and embraced.

Disowning or disconnecting from any part of yourself, results in not being fully present in the world, not accepting your gifts and talents and not fully participating in the world with energy, joy and vitality.

Denying parts of yourself, shutting them away and hiding them, means denying yourself your full potential and shuts others out from knowing the real you.

Ugliness may mean different things to different people. What does it mean for you?

Perhaps it means a difference in the way you think or feel. Perhaps it is a specific emotion like fear, sadness or anger. 

Whatever ugliness you think about yourself, it has become tangled up with shame (usually due to outside influences).

The only way through shame is by bringing it into the light. By speaking shame, by being seen and accepted.

Through this process, you bring in the light instead of the darkness of shame.

Perhaps this means acknowledging a difference in yourself, in how your brain works or in your preferences in the world. Shining a light on these areas may mean you see new potential - what innovations might you think or what might you create because you think or feel differently to others?

Who have you been hiding away?

Perhaps they are an artist, inventor, creator, dreamer, visionary, philosopher, activist.

What do you deny the world and yourself?

Perhaps the former ugliness of anger can lead you to taking a stand for injustice and speaking out against oppression. Maybe the perceived ugliness of fear is transformed into inspiring others with your courage, moving into new territory, innovating and pioneering new techniques that benefit others and the world. Or the supposed ugliness of sadness reveals the depth of your human heart and emotional connection with others.

When you find the gift within what has been shamed, the ugliness falls away.

Whatever ugliness you think about yourself, there is a silver lining of beauty that is ready to be seen.

Transform yourself with bryony@creativesoultherapies.com