I am a story teller. I’ve come to appreciate this about myself in the past few years. I used to see it as annoying, and at times self-indulgent; now I embrace it as a gift. I love to re-tell events, experiences, and other things of interest that have happened to me, my family, friends, or innocent bystanders. Sometimes when I tell a story I am known to embellish it when needed. (I think embellish is a gentler word than exaggerate, don’t you?). I love to be dramatic, (who me?) and at times I don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story.
I think that it is important for all of us to tell our stories. Stories of our childhood, our achievements, our dreams, our losses, our loves, our sadness, our family, our friends, our convictions. We should talk about life, and how our life matters, and about how sometimes we feel lost and alone, and yet at other times we feel found and are living in the land of rich and plenty. It should never be seen as selfish, or seen as putting too much attention on self when you tell your story. Because YOU matter, your life matters and so do your stories. I come from a family that loves to tell stories; and we are loud (yes this would explain me, thank you very much). I miss being closer to my family in California where story telling is at its finest. At family gatherings, with all my aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, and mom it is so comforting to be among the finest story tellers I’ve ever known, So, you see I’ve spent years perfecting my skill. Think about this: how often after someone dies do you think “I wished I had known more about ______ (you fill in the blank). But it’s too late.
I believe sadly, technology is replacing much of our story telling time. We don’t eat dinners together like we used to. We don’t sit around and just converse and visit. We watch television, we text, we tune every one OUT instead of tuning each other IN.
We are missing something very valuable by not listening to each other’s stories. Our stories, your story, my story need to be shared. Stories Bind us together and help us grow. We grow by listening, and by telling.
There are stories that are meant to re-tell events and then there are stories that share our deepest hurts and longings, and stories that hold the essence of our soul. The soul stories aren’t so easy to share. We often don’t share our deepest stories for fear of being judged, being abandoned, or worse yet, we don’t share for fear that God will hear our story and we will be condemned. I’m so sorry for the times you have been hurt by fellow church goers, family, friends, co-workers, or you have been hurt from what appears to be from God.
I’m so excited about my blogs. I’m all about truth telling, story telling and being Bold to say what I think and feel, even at times when I know it may be contrary to your beliefs or thoughts. The reason I feel compelled to write about my life, or about life in general, is not because my life or my stories are any more important or interesting than yours, because they are not. The only difference between my stories and yours is that I am willing to share mine. We all have stories and thoughts that should be written down. I am convinced we must share our stories. I will start with mine.
I blog about anything and everything. I talk about how I love God with a fierce love, and yet how this same God frustrates me at times just as fiercely. I share about how I love lipstick, fashion, design and decorating. I blog about me my year as a vegetarian, and how at times I actually thought it’s rather maddening and ridiculous. I want to share with you just how hard it is sometimes to live a spiritual life in a confusing world, mine included. I want to be honest with you about my own growth, and about my own questions, and lessons maybe I’ve learned along the way. You will find pictures that will inspire you, quotes that you will want to say out loud, and hopefully you’ll find some small tidbits of “stuff” that will inspire your day. Truth is I want to be open about my life (to a degree) so that maybe I can help others in their journey. Maybe I can offer you some comfort, or maybe spark some disagreement that will help you process your own convictions. I’m just a woman, who is trying to live out my life in a human world. And it’s not easy at times.
Sept., 2009, I fell from an attic 10 ft. and broke my leg in 3 places. I’ve had 4 surgeries, and have been completely de-railed. I have experienced exhaustion physically, emotionally and spiritually like never before. I would have to say that I have experienced a “death” of sorts. And yet, through much of this past year I continued to pray that there would be a birth of sorts through this experience, because I always believe that somehow death also creates life. My mantra continues to be ”I want to become Better and not Bitter from my horrific experience”. I am grateful beyond words that I am alive. I am honored that you would choose to follow my crazy and sometimes very mixed up world. That you would take time to pop in and see what I’m up to, or what I’m trying to accomplish either through my words or my actions. I hope my blog will inspire you, entertain you, and challenge you.
Yes, here is a tangible sign that BIRTH has begun in my own life. I have birthed a new baby. For me this is huge, considering this whole year has been filled with physical pain, depression and desperation. Yes, I am Alive. This blog will hold my precious thoughts, my creativity and my zest for life, with all its good and bad days. It is where I will continue to share my life and my story with you. My prayer is that you too will embrace your own life and your own story. I hope you return on a regular basis.
There will be many new posts throughout the week. Please come back and browse. Feel free to comment, whether you agree or disagree with my thoughts, they are welcomed. I would encourage you to become a subscriber and you will be notified through your email each time there is a new post. Thank you for being part of my life.
Humbly, Carolyn