I had the opportunity this morning to speak with an amazing group of ladies at a church here in Langley.
This church has supported us in so many incredible ways and I was so thankful for the opportunity to “give back” and to share some of our story and some of my story.
I had 15 minutes to share on community and our walk through life with others.
I used 3 key points that I shared from.
– Shame and Fear will trap us and keep us isolated and feeling alone.
– Vulnerability and Authenticity are the keys to building relationship and community
– Knowing your True Worth is the key to allowing yourself to be vulnerable in front of others.
I shared on how in the past, my insecurities (read that as Shame and Fear) kept me from wanting to be in relationship with other people. About 7 years ago, We went to this amazing church out in Abbotsford that challenged that belief that I had about myself. They challenged me to see myself the way that God sees me, to see that I am worth being accepted and loved and supported and encouraged. Slowly I started to believe that I was worth more than I was believing about myself. I wanted to live in relationship and community with people and to not be isolated.
In my own personal journey, I had taken many steps forward away from Shame and Fear and Isolation and then, last June, Angelica was diagnosed with Cancer. My world shrunk down and for a year I was in basically a forced isolation within my house. I realized that I didn’t like the isolation. Somewhere along my journey, I had gotten some emotional healing and grown to the point that I liked being in community and it took a forced isolation to really cement it home in my life that I WANT TO LIVE IN COMMUNITY AND RELATIONSHIP and not in isolation.
During the past year, I realized that I could not handle the pressure and stress of what we were going through alone and after fighting against shame and fear…..I reached outside of myself. I was vulnerable and I asked for help.
The response was incredible and overwhelming.
We received enough help that I felt like I could finally breathe again. It was overwhelming and quite literally a life saver.
Without starting to grasp a hold of the concept that I was worth being accepted and love and supported….if I hadn’t started to realize that I was worthy of all of those things….I would have never been able to ask for help. I would have never been able to open up and say that I was less than perfect. I would never have been able to admit that couldn’t handle it all on my own. But in being vulnerable and open about myself and our situation…..I received even more than I had asked for.
In our society today, we are so busy and there are so many opportunities to hide behind our insecurities and fears and as a result, be, or at the very least “feel” alone. I also believe that we as people are craving opportunities to connect and to live within community.
Being open, transparent, vulnerable allows others into our lives and in turn, we are then a part of their lives…..building community, building relationships. I’ve found that being open encourages others to also be open which sets the stage for deeper and more meaningful relationships. Vulnerability is not always easy, but it is SO WORTH IT!
You are worth being loved.
You are worth being accepted.
You are worth being supported.
You are worth being encouraged.
You have so much value and worth.
It was amazing to actually meet this group of ladies, to see them face to face and to be able to thank them for all their support and love.
I’m not sure, but I think I was within my 15 minute time frame……I hope! The Music Team sang a fabulous song when I was finished talking and the whole morning just came together so well.
I am SO thankful to be apart of this community. The Community of Walnut Grove, the Alex Hope elementary School and North Langley Community Church…..has supported and blessed us so much and cannot thank you enough.
I’m so grateful to be apart of this amazing community!
hi patti when i came to victoria i had planned to be a loner because of so many bad experiences in vancouver. people here opened up to me and reached out to me and supported me had shown me that it is safe to be around people again. it is a great feeling knowing you are accepted and loved and supported – this is what i found in victoria. now i love being around people. i no longer hide in my apartment from the world like i did in vancouver. here i became a butterfly. here i am loved. here i am valued. it was a big learning experience first year in victoria. glad you have grown alot the last year. cant wait to have coffee with you one day next year. keep up with the good progress. blessings debra
You did so awesome today! Love you always.
You are a gifted speaker… You are beautiful and you told your story so very well. Ready by 9:15 and got 5 kids ready for the day to boot…( I know how much that takes…) You are Amazing! I am proud of you. xox
Hey Patti while i was at work cleaning the sidewalks, i saw a lady at the coffee shop she had the same smile as you and face expression – she reminded me of you. It made me realize how much i really miss you and i miss you ALOT. blessings Debra