Greetings friends! How was your week of Love Celebration? Whilst February can be pretty dismal and uneventful for most, we have an anniversary and Valentine's Day in this month. So, that is two celebrations two weeks in a row, which makes this short month go a little faster!
We were pretty low key for both this year. We did a lot of celebrating on our Hawaii adventure and I got a nice little bauble to remind me of our time there. We stayed home, enjoyed a nice dinner alone and he did NOT go to Jared. That's okay, when I look at pictures, I am reminded of the great time we had together and the memories we made.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want this month to go any faster than what it already is. I am really struggling with the whole not-enough-hours in one day thing. However, if I could get myself to be productive past 6:00 at night that would definitely help! It seems as though when it hits 6:00 pm, I turn into a sloth. I want to do nothing after dinner. I want to lay on the couch, watch tv, or curl up with a book (and a snack.) This time of year is hard here in the Mitten. If it were summer that would mean a walk, a bike ride, maybe even a boat ride after dinner, not becoming a couch potato. Its so different than this time of year. All of this finds me craving spring like never before.
This week, I want to talk about the Get Real event I am speaking at next weekend. This conference was started last year by women, for women and the meaning of this event could not be any more real to this girl in recovery. The truth is we all carry something, some kind of pain, burden, past trauma, or grief, don’t we? It's especially true for women, which is why this is just for us. No boys allowed! We need one another and to be able to gather and take off our masks! I took off that mask over 3 years ago and it is the most freeing thing I have ever done.
I am speaking at Get Real for the second time and am honored to be a part of it. Last year, I told my story publicly for the first time and it was so scary for me. The devil wiggled his way in with lots of self doubt about what I was doing, but I constantly hung on to God's truth that he will never leave me nor forsake me, and he didn’t. He empowered me and many positive things have come to pass since then. When I quit drinking, I surrendered totally and completely and told God I would do whatever he asked if it meant getting sober. I thought getting sober would be it. End of Story. Nope. He called me to start speaking and writing about my journey and I have been listening, even when it's hard and I want to hang my head in shame. I have to remind myself then that I am a daughter of the king and wear my tiara proudly!
My topic this year is called Real Transparency. I talk about what my life looked like while wearing not only a mask, but an entire costume so no one could see the real me. How when I started living a much more authentic, transparent life, it all changed drastically. I tell my story with honesty and humor, but most importantly truth, God's truth. I would not be where I am today with out his promises.
Don’t get me wrong, I am constantly being challenged in this life and the devil loves to hone in on my weaknesses. Sometimes I dig out that costume I wore for so many years and try to squeeze into to it (like my jeans right now, post holiday and vacation 👖👎🏽). It really doesn't fit me well anymore but yet I try. WHY!!!!
I think that sometimes we go back to our old ways because we think it's the easy way out of a difficult situation. Really it's not, it only delays what we have to face, it magnifies it. I’ve had a few challenges this past month that have caused me to search for that mask that I’ll share here sometime. There is a children's camp song that comes to mind that goes something like: “Can’t go over it, can’t go under it, can’t go around it.” Which is so true because we have to go through it when those hard things pop up in our lives.
I hope to see some familiar faces next weekend! I promise you won't be disappointed. It is a very affordable event, catered to women of all ages. Bring your grandma, mom, daughters and girlfriends, and you will be inspired and empowered. I promise. I encourage you to check it out. There will some great breakout speakers and the keynote speakers will be delivering a message you won’t soon forget.
Come find some rest for that weary soul next weekend. Leave renewed and feeling empowered to continue this life without a mask.
Peace on your weekend,
Sherry