October of last year, I attended the Organic Outreach Conference in Monterey, CA. It was amazing and if you want to know more about it, go check out their website.
I can tell you, I took copious notes at the conference. I am a note taker, not just from the speakers but all the ideas their thoughts spark in my own brain. Generating ideas is kind of my jam - following through on all the ideas, is not! Pretty sure if I had both skills mastered, I'd be a millionaire by now.
Anyway, one of the many people I found quotable, was a man named Mike Brock. He shared a sentence as a side note toward the end of a breakout session that resonated with me.
While I don't have a direct quote, what he said went something like this:
We need to reconcile our pretentious nature, when we think "God told me...", and recognize if he told you, he told thousands of other people. Instead of standing up and saying, "God said.." find those others God spoke to and partner with them.
I have loved the journey that those words sent me on. I didn't start out seeking a tribe of like-minded visionaries, but it definitely opened me up to the lessons I was learning. I've already talked about the Brené Brown quote that Lindsey Teague Moreno referenced in her book, "Getting Noticed." I was floored when I discovered this woman (much smarter than me) with the same passion. I started off in college looking at Social Work as a major, but quickly realized my overly sensitive heart would get swallowed alive in that field, and chose Communications instead.
I love people and discovering how they tick. My own path as created a desire to see people find their voice and walk in freedom from the pain of their past. This woman in her talks on shame, vulnerability, emotions and daring to live bravely as we rise strong after falling, was in sync with my mantras and personal journey.
I'm obviously not joining Brené in her research or tagging along for her speaking engagements, but seeing that common thread being spoken from someone of her caliber has given me cause to celebrate. Its inspired me to keep moving forward because I'm not alone. I don't need to be any of the women who have inspired me over the last few months (and that list is growing exponentially), but I've been empowered by their stories and themes to be myself.
Its easy to feel alone and while a surge of pride can be appealing when you feel God has spoken to you, that pretentious nature doesn't foster community or even promote confidence, because if we seek to be the lone wolf in the fight for our cause we will in fact be, alone. Who wants that life? Okay so I realize that appeals to some people, but I am not one of them. I want my alone time but I have no desire to be isolated in this world. Hearing that Brené's research has revealed most people struggle with the same insecurities I have, is freeing. As she says (and I paraphrase), we may be crazy, but no more than the next person.
I need to keep going and fighting because others need me, not because I am some superwoman. Its my responsibility to speak from my life as an encouragement to others and protect that connection with my tribe - those of you being real and putting yourself out there for the benefit of others. Why else are we here?! I'm glad I paid attention to what God was trying to speak into my life.
Do you need that encouragement to fight on and be you? Is God trying to get your attention? Do you need to find those with the same voice and change the world together? Your voice is louder when its focused and joining the song of others with same song. Look for God's guidance, go forth and make a difference through the power of connection and numbers.
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