Secrets

TED Radio Hour: What's Your Coming Out Story?

Today I listened to a TED Radio Hour where the title of the podcast was Keeping Secrets.  I thought what an interesting topic to focus on.  Why do we keep what we keep secret? 

We all have secrets. 

There was a statement by one of the guests, Ash Beckham, “Secrets are perceived imperfections.” 

Wow!  What a powerful way to think about secrets.  That could not have been a truer statement.  The simplicity of what she said floored me.  It was so simple. 

There are so many things that I don’t tell others about me because I don’t want them to judge me.  The problem with that thought process is that I have already decided what they are going to do with the information once it comes awkwardly spilling out of my mouth.  What if the person on the other end just takes it for what it is and keeps moving? 

Maybe it would be better to just tell the world.  What kind of pressure could be lifted off my shoulders by not holding on to some “perceived imperfection” with the grip of King Kong? 

She states in the podcast that when you are ready to let go of your secret and tell the world that you should follow the 3 Pancake Girl Principles:

1. Be authentic
2. Be direct
3. Don’t apologize for who you are

I could elaborate more about what she says but those three brief statements speak volumes.  I had never heard of Ash Beckham before this podcast but thought, “my goodness lady you have said some really simple statements that just shook me to the core.”  Although if I go back to what I learned in school KISS (Keep It Simple Sweetie/Stupid/etc.) was a rule we often used.

Now her secret is different from the ones that I carry but what she said applies to all people holding on to a secret.  I really don’t have much to add to this but what secrets do you keep inside of you that have been eating you alive?

If you ever listen to the podcast, my favorite part by far was when a little girl replies to Ash Beckham and says, “My favorite pajamas are purple with Fish.  Can I get a pancake please?”  It doesn’t make sense without the context around it but it made me laugh to tears.