Earlier this year I thought I wanted to go to seminary, but it turns out what I really needed was to go to therapy.

Church and faith issues.  Discovering I grew up under a parent with a mental illness.  Shame.  Moving.

Everything came to a head and culminated in me trying to distract myself.  Ooh books!  Ooh learning! Ooh anything that will let me not look at myself!

I didn’t know I was trying to avoid root issues – and then I realized there actually were root issues and they were affecting every aspect of my life.

I didn’t go to therapy for myself.  I went for my kids, for my husband.  A healthier me means a healthier them.  I do not go twice a month for 45 minutes, literally sitting on a brown leather couch, talking about all sorts of things I’d rather keep buried because I think I am worth it.

Most days I do not.

But I go because I believe deep down there is a possibility I am worth it.  Because I know how I interact with the world changes the world.

And I want to change it for the better.

*****

So I started to read therapy books and Brené Brown and watch inspiring TED talks and what I have come to realize is that getting emotionally healthy is doable.

I don’t know how long it will take (probably years) or what it will look like (probably messy and awkward).  But sometimes I get glimpses of feeling brave, bold, and living shame-free and it’s liberating.  Freedom is intoxicating.  And it is possible.

I didn’t really believe it until I read Gifts of Imperfection, and realized healthy people are that way, not because they were born that way, but because they choose to be.

Day by day, habit by habit, people found the freedom to be who they were made to be.

I want that.  I want those daily practices.   I need to cultivate healthy habits.  So I’m learning how to do it.  And I want you to join me.

What if all the people who don’t think you’re good enough,

all the people who think you say the wrong things, think the wrong things,

all the people who want you to settle down,

all the people who think you are just too much

– what if they’re wrong?

What if you didn’t have to be overwhelmed by shame? 

What if you didn’t have to live in fear? 

What if you could enter the dark parts of the world with courage?

I’m excited to announce that I’ve created a monthly zine designed to help us build the habits that enable bravery.

Come find all the details here.

Living bravely is possible.

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