I get to meet with a lot of people with the work I do. It’s humbling when people open up and share their story.
Last night I met a man who survived a suicide attempt. It was a gun shot to the head. He shared with me his story of how he grew up with a drug addicted mom and drug dealer dad. He endured abuse, and at age 13 started doing drugs and by 15 was using meth. He joined gangs and at 19 was beaten for 3 hours, stabbed 11 times I believe….I mean horrible, could easily have died from that. Then, was in a dark place at age 22 and decided to end his life. Thankfully, it was unsuccessful. He turned his life around and now wants to give back. I am impressed by him. He is in the process of writing a book, to share his story raw and real. He is going around speaking in schools talking about his experience growing up and feeling like he had no value. This man is amazing.
By his candor and vulnerability to open up and be real about the choices in his life and where that got him, it got me thinking about me sharing my story. The untold raw truth. Do I have the courage to share my own story? The hardest story for me to openly share is my own. I am fully aware that one day I will share it. I know there is value in it….but right now? I fear who it will hurt to tell the truth. Who will judge my choices?Who will see my mistakes and measure me against them, and how they add up?
I have made a lot of mistake….A LOT. I am not afraid to share it with people I trust, who know me. People who see me and know who I am. However, the world doesn’t know me. The world might judge me harshly and am I secure enough to endure the criticism?
Then there is the other side of the coin. What if my story can help someone? What if my story can bring healing and courage to someone who needs to hear it? Am I depriving that person of the help that they need because I am afraid? I’d like to think that I have a generous heart enough to open up about things and take the risk if it could help someone.
One day I will share the full story, when I’m ready to. I hear it gets easier the more that you share it. I guess when that day comes, I’ll let you know. It’s okay to only share bits of your story. It’s okay to share it all. The world may not be ready for it, but someone is. I suppose that’s not even the point.
We each have our own stories and that is what connects us to others. I love Brene’ Brown and how she talks about courage, compassion, and connection. First, you have to have courage. Courage to open up to someone (whom you trust), courage to reach out to someone you don’t know. Second, have compassion for their story and who they are, because really and truly we are just doing our best. Lastly, we find this connection with others that give us purpose on the planet. Especially woman, but we all want to know that our lives mean something. That our struggles aren’t just to make life miserable, but meaningful.