📝📜 Daily Journal Prompt 89

Subject: Confronting Our Shadows: A Lesson from Jerrod Carmichael

Hey Friends

Welcome Back 👋

Today, I want to talk about a podcast I recently listened to, an episode of "On Purpose with Jay Shetty", where he had a profound conversation with the incredibly talented Jerrod Carmichael. Jerrod is an Emmy-nominated comedian known for his dedication to honesty and truth in his work, and this discussion was no exception. His words resonated with me on so many levels, and I feel a strong urge to share my reflections with you all.

Jerrod's creative process, which begins with a spark - usually of anger, and then working backward from there to create a show, intrigued me. It got me thinking about how we often suppress our emotions, especially the negative ones. But what if, instead, we used them as a catalyst for creation, just as Jerrod does? What beautiful, raw, and honest work could we produce if we channeled our anger, our fear, our shame into our creations?

Jerrod also spoke about confronting his shame and secrets through his art. The role of social media in promoting harmful content that erodes our self-esteem was another topic he discussed, and it's one that we've all experienced at some point. The harmful effects of social media algorithms are no secret, but how often do we stop and truly think about the impact they have on our lives? It's a sobering thought, isn't it? I gave up social media nearly 4 years ago because I was so fed up with the way I would let it affect me and I am so thankful for making that decision. Listening to their discussion just reiterated my feelings about social media.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the podcast was how Jerrod talked about using his art to confront his fears. In his last special, he dealt with the consequences of adultery and years of secrets and repression. It's a courageous act, to bare one's soul to the world. It's a kind of vulnerability that can be terrifying, but also freeing.

In the podcast, Jerrod and Jay also emphasized the importance of honesty, self-awareness, and clear communication with friends, family, and colleagues. These elements are crucial to building meaningful relationships. It made me realize how often misunderstandings occur when we're not honest with others, or worse, with ourselves.

After listening to this episode, I was left with one big question, one that I want to share with you all as our journal prompt. It's a question that encourages us to dive deep into our fears and confront our shame:

"How have you confronted your fears and shame in your personal and professional life, and how has this process influenced your relationships and self-perception?"

I invite you all to sit with this question, to write about it in your journals, and to share your thoughts and experiences. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer. This is a safe space for self-exploration and growth.

Before I sign off, remember that confronting our fears, our shame, and our secrets can lead to self-growth. Let's take a page from Jerrod Carmichael's book and reframe our shame into self-growth. Let's start confronting the emotional blocks that stop us from having healthy relationships. Let's start living on purpose.

Till next time, keep reflecting, keep growing, and remember – you are not alone on this journey.

With all my heart

Your Friend, Austin ❤✌

P.S. Many of you asked how you can help support this journaling movement, the most helpful thing you can do is share this post with your friends and family who might also find this topic interesting. Thank you all so much! Happy journaling! ♥

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