The best way I can describe cringe is the feelings in conversation that scrape my soul. A mix of wanting to throw up a little, shaking, needing big breaths and wanting to run away.  

It’s Raw.

Raw topics get dismissed and shut down before getting to the good stuff. The good stuff is what actually builds friendship. Cringe happens to me a lot. I tend to lean into controversy.

I had a conversation with a family member that felt like a minefield. Anytime I responded with emotion they countered with data.  If they asked my point of view and I responded with stories they countered with statistics. If asked about cultural appropriation and I answered from worldly travel they responded with politics. I felt like I was battling an ego with no heart. Eventually I respectfully took a break.

Spiritual values are universal but social values are diverse.

Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? Can you embrace deeper subjects about being human when you’re with family, colleagues, strangers – without it getting so tense you want to throw up, run away, stay silent or swallow your power?  

In my experience, values are shared when you speak to people in the love language of their soul. That’s not easy. It takes time, practice, and ancient tools that work when embodied.

Making that kind of communication habitual is how my students build clarity and confidence.  Confidence feels good! It leads to flow. Living in flow is blissful because relationships are never boring. Otherwise, you don’t feel loved and you lose the plot of your destiny.

This is the year to take back your bliss.

Consider that loving the cringe enough to heal it is priceless for your relationship success. Confidently communicating in cringe worthy topics is how authentic people succeed in business and personally. It’s how you fall in love with life, new people, and yourself. 

For real. And forever.