I See You
Oh, what a glorious morning it is today! The sun shone delightfully alongside a gentle wind as I rode my bike into town. I could literally feel the Universe celebrating the season of new beginnings as I cruised down hills with my arms outstretched in absolute bliss. At that moment, I realized I had everything I needed and that I had survived the hardest 4 years of my life. I don’t think I was a weak woman before and now I am strong. I believe that I have always been a strong woman. It’s just that now I can finally quit trying to smother my strength. Now I can step out and fully be the person that’s been there all along. It feels good. Damn, it feels really good.
Yesterday I gave a presentation at 1 Million Cups. It is a group of business people who get together every week to support each other and get to know new businesses. I shared my story and how Freedom For The Taking was born. I was nervous but excited about the opportunity. It went even better than I expected. Everyone seemed really supportive and afterward, many people came and talked to me and offered valuable resources and information. I was overwhelmed by how much people connected and appreciated my story. Over and over they kept saying, “I love your story. Thank you for sharing.”
I have been pondering this for a little bit. What is it they love about my story? It’s quite a traumatic, painful story. Here is what I think though: Everyone is amazed by how free I am now compared to how I spent most of my life. I think my story touches something deep in them; a desire to live freely; almost like the wild in me calls to the wild part of them that has been buried for a long time.
I want to wake people up and remind them not to waste this beautiful gift we have every day; the ability to make choices and be the creators of our life. Sure, some days will still feel shitty and it’s all we can do to just get through them. But the next day, it’s a new day, and we get to keep on slowly letting go of what doesn’t fit and embracing the things that truly honor the life we want to live.
I see you.
I see you, Mom. It’s shit-hard work being a mom. I don’t think you can ever compare any other job in the world to that of being a mom. I know firsthand how rewarding it is, but I also know that it can be heartbreaking, exhausting, frustrating, and feel unbearable at times. And even though there is no handbook in the world to prepare you for parenthood, I see how strong and brave you are as you stumble through the many obstacles thrown at you every day.
I see you, entrepreneur. Working so hard to do ALL the things and hoping that others will see your value. I see you refusing to fit the mold and being so damn brave to pursue your dreams. I know it’s not all peaches and cream. But yet you don’t give up.
I see you, woman. Fighting the voices in your head. Desperately trying to juggle all the things on your plate but never feeling like enough. I know all the expectations and rules that our society puts on women every day. I know the cultural lies that try and control you. And I know how incredibly beautiful you are even on the days you just can’t see it.
I see you, human. Damn, it’s hard to be human sometimes; especially when the world we live in does its best to cram us into a box and limit us with a label. I see you struggling to understand the complexities within yourself. I too have felt the shame that lurks in the deepest part of the soul and tempts me to stay hidden. I know the questions that never seem to have answers. I have experienced the wrenching grief that is part of being a human on this complicated planet. I see you every day, still choosing to move forward the best you can; and I must say, it is breathtaking.
You. You are breathtaking. And when you forget this truth, as so many of us so often do, I invite you to come back and read this blog. As many times as you need to. Because it’s true, and you deserve to know the truth.
I love you.
Comments