Yesterday, I got a chance to have a quick catch-up phone call with a gal I deeply admire. Michelle (Dr. Michelle Mazur, that is) is a communication rebel. Don’t you just love that name? She rebels against the speaking status quo by helping speakers discover their unfair speaking advantage. She helps them dive into what makes them unique and how they’re meant to share their unique story with the world. She’s amazing.
I know she’s great at what she does because I buy in, hook line and sinker.
We’ve only “spoken” once before but I feel like I’ve known her forever. She told me all about what she’s been up to since we last spoke and then I opened the floodgates and started telling her all about where I’ve been since then. It’s been a while since I’ve told the story of the HeartStories journey over the past two years.
I noticed that I started feeling ashamed and embarrassed. I started talking fast, like I was trying to speed through, so I could avoid remembering some parts. I heard myself saying things like, “This is going to sound crazy, but…” almost like I felt the need apologize to her for not being where I thought I would be at this point.
So I took notice of that feeling.
No, I’m certainly not where I thought I’d be, three years in. But when I think about the whole of where I am, boy am I glad! The path I’ve taken has been winding. It hasn’t led where I expected, and it hasn’t been easy. . . and if it had, it wouldn’t have been this beautiful. This Brutiful.
Learning how to navigate on this journey has been the invaluable gift.
Every misstep, every mistake, every heartache and every joy, they’ve gown me. They’ve given me wisdom. They’ve given me clarity. They’re the gifts that would not have been possible without this exact path. This journey has made me who I am and I’m overwhelmingly grateful.
It’s true for you too.
You’ve made some mistakes. You’ve probably taken a wrong turn or two. Experienced heartache that seems like it may never fade. But you’ve had moments of joy. And you’ve grown. You’re so much wiser than you were three years ago sister. You know so much more about who you are and where you want to be. This journey is making you stronger and wiser.
It will make you more generous, loving and kind too, if you let it.
In life, you never know where your path will lead.
But wherever the path leads, you can know who you are becoming.
Because you are becoming.
to more love,
Crystal
