Becoming the author of our lives.
I’ve always been a do-it-yourself kind of gal.
My sisters and I grew up tackling all sorts of home projects with our dad — everything from roofing to painting to plumbing. We were far from experts and made tons of mistakes. Throughout it all, my dad would repeat, “we can figure this out.” (He was mostly right, thanks to copious advice from the local hardware store.)
The belief that I can figure it out, create something new, build what I need — this has shaped my adult life in important ways. Here’s one:
For some time I’ve wanted more opportunities to experience deep, connected, vulnerable conversations with other women. I’ve wanted to connect with folks from different backgrounds and histories, from outside my inner circle. I didn’t want to “network” with them — I yearned for something deeper. And this opportunity just didn’t exist in my life.
So I created it.
This year I’ve brought together several small groups of women — mostly strangers — for a single night of connection, conversation, and inspiration. We share a meal, stories, laughter, and sometimes tears. We have the chance to feel less alone and more connected. We begin the night as strangers and leave as something else, not easily described.
This was an experiment. I hadn’t seen or participated in anything like it before. And I had no idea what to expect.
You can imagine how nervous I was before the first of these gatherings! What if it was awful? These women trusted me — what if it was a disaster, full of awkward silences and weird, stilted conversation?
But I was willing to take that risk.
At worst it would be one uncomfortable night for five wonderful women (six, if you include me!) At best, it would be something new, something meaningful, something special.
And you know how that story ended.
Soon I’ll host another of these gatherings, with yet another group of mostly strangers. And it promises to be another beautiful experience.
I’ve learned so much from this glorious, ongoing experiment.
The biggest lesson is the reminder that I am the author of my life. I can create something from nothing, if I’m willing to take some risks. I can figure it out (even if I need the hardware store to help with some of the details.)
INVITATION TO REFLECT: What about you? What calling might you answer? What problem might you solve? What might you create, if you were willing to take some risks?