FREEDOM TO FLOURISH
Someone once said in a meeting, if you have a question, you should ask it out loud so the whole group can hear. If you are thinking it, odds are, someone else is thinking it too. Game changer.
With that one little suggestion, I found the strength to combat my fear of vocalizing opinions to a group. Because you know what? They were right.
Putting this into practice has been met with overwhelming encouragement. It doesn’t always come in the moment, but there have been so many instances where it comes shortly after. Whether it comes through a supportive email, or by a grateful colleague stopping me in the hallway, I almost always find out that I wasn’t alone.
Just like sharing big thoughts at work, I have found this equally true when sharing painful life stories. From infertility and poverty to racism and mental illness, there is always someone quietly wondering if they are alone.
I genuinely believe that sharing our difficult truths will promote healing and empathy. I also believe that when we lose our shame, and speak openly about the ugly parts of life, we gain the beauty of inner freedom. Inner freedom which grants us the freedom to flourish.
SERIES PART 2: TRACHEOESOPHAGEAL FISTULA – OUR PERSONAL STORY – NICU THROUGH TWO
DIAGNOSIS AND DESCRIPTION Our initial NICU consultation offered us little hope. And the somber, blank expression on the nurse’s face while delivering our news, has been burned into my memory. With her words, our son’s birthday became the best and worst day of my life all in one. Leaving the NICU, I didn’t think our…
SERIES PART 1: TRACHEOESOPHAGEAL FISTULA – OUR PERSONAL STORY – NICU THROUGH TWO
PREGNANCY AND DISCOVERY ***Please be advised. This story contains medical descriptions. When our son was born with a pair congenital defects called tracheoesophageal fistula (simply known as TE Fistula or TEF) and esophageal atresia, we had no warning. My husband and I found out the day he was born, and we were offered little more…
LIVING WHILE WAITING
Today, the residents of Minnesota’s Twin Cities are living while waiting, myself included. Collectively, and regardless of what outcome we’re individually anticipating, we are waiting for a jury of our peers to decide if a police officer is guilty of murder. Simultaneously, while wondering what world we’ll be living in after the results are read,…
10 SIMPLE WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT A CHILD OR TEEN WITH HARMFUL PARENTS
Have you ever suspected that a child has harmful parents? Have you ever wondered if there is any way that you can help? Have you ever wondered if you should even get involved? Well the answers are simple. Yes, there are ways you can help. And yes, you absolutely should get involved. Plus, making a…
OBTAINABLE FETISH – A WORD FOR THE “EXOTIC” GIRLS
From a young age, you received signals that marrying a white man would raise your status. Signals from the media, from society, signals from your mother. The signals that devalued your male counterparts were so strong that you came to resent your own identity. You felt less than. Your societal insecurities lead you to become…
I WOULDN’T BE SELECTED
Every mother knows the scenario. Your toddler is in the other room playing, when the room suddenly goes silent. Then, CRASH, tears, and “Mama!” is desperately cried out. You rush in, assess the situation, and scoop up your little one. And in that moment, you are so relieved that you are there to provide the…
BelievableShe 
Although I’m an assertive, outgoing person, I often find it difficult to speak up, especially in groups. This is a great reminder.
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Thank you! I’m glad to hear that you found it useful🌺
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