How Shame Affects Our Stories

Curt Thompson, MD, a psychiatrist, wrote The Soul of Shame, and tells in it how we must look at the characters, plot and themes of our life story in order for it to make sense in the big picture of life.  How does one reflect on the meaning and purpose of life? What are the big questions in each of our lives that we struggle to make sense of, struggle to find answers to? Thompson goes on to say that shame intends to disrupt the bigger Story. Are there qualities of shame and therefore isolation that affect our relationships? Perhaps these are things to look into and explore.  What are we believing about ourselves and is there more? What might it look like to courageously engage your story with another? What would it look like to share and to listen? Could each play a crucial role in healing? Thompson writes: “Shame is a shared process whose mission is to disrupt connection between people.” (pg 89) Therefore, meaningful connection with a counselor can open us to our stories, stories worth telling, stories that can bring hope and healing.