Last Friday evening I received an opportunity to write an essay for the NY Post, which appeared in this past Sunday’s edition. How the assignment showed up was just as significant as the gift itself. Yes, I will forever tout the importance of allowing yourself to be open and receptive to your good, to answer the door and say yes it’s my time to shine, and to stay grounded in what you know is your absolute truth. No one and nothing can take away what is yours to receive and achieve. The only one that can block your good is you. We all know it because we’ve all been very good blockers at one time or another. But if you’ve been reading my blogs and the stories I’ve shared, you also understand the importance of knowing you and your message. What you have to say is important, what you want to do in this world is significant, and once word gets out on the awesomeness that is you, you need to keep on keeping on.
My NY Post opportunity resulted from one friend thinking of me while speaking to her roommate who was sharing an assignment her friend at the newspaper had for the Sunday edition. People remember those who are authentic, sincere, honest and transparent. The essay topic was exciting and made me want to throw up at the same time. What are the three things “everyone” tells you not to discuss? Politics. Religion. Finances. Actually, I have to say that I’ve been pretty good at that rule and make sure I always know my audience, even when it’s amongst friends and loved ones. Yet, part of what I do for a living revolves my words, my message, speaking, writing, inspiring, and motivating. I don’t believe in lecturing and have always shared my personal experiences, which shows just how relatable I am to others who are going for it. So when I was asked to write a piece on my spirituality and my former relationship with the Catholic Church, I was flat out scared. My heart raced because I knew how I would write it, and my stomach did flip-flops because I understood the sensitivity spirituality plays in this world ~ not to mention the strong emotions that surround the Church. I knew they were looking for something sensational, and although I let them know I did not intend to trash anyone but to give an honest opinion of my experience, they still agreed. I’m not sure if it was because they were unable to find someone willing to discuss something so personal or that no one thought it could be done in 400 words. Yes, 400 words! Trust me, there was a lot of editing!
If you ask me what I want to accomplish with my writing, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, and public speaking, it’s to allow others to heal, become inspired, step outside of their comfort zones, push boundaries, and feel emotion. My very goals were reached on Sunday and I’ve heard from all sides regarding my essay. And while I knew to expect anger and frustration, it didn’t make reading the more negative comments any easier. Some might say if you’re going to be “in it”, you need to get tougher skin. While I think that might be true, if it means you’ve shut down any part of your true self than you are no better off. Regardless of your dream, there are going to be the naysayers who don’t like it, are scared by it, and want you to fail. It’s nothing personal, although it sure can feel like it at times, and more aligned with where they are on their own personal journey. Their fears have nothing to do with you.
Did you arrive on this planet to live out someone else’s dream or are you here to live your life purpose and utilize your unique gifts to make a difference? What are you going to do to manifest the beauty of your dreams? What have you come here to become? I know that I choose to love and be loved outrageously. I know that I choose to live my absolute truth without apology. The bigger you play, the more “teachers” and “challenges” show up. Embrace them all. You have arrived!
I am glad you found peace in writing the article and in your relationship with the Catholic Church. You shared you journey in the article. Anyone who would write something negative about your article has not found that peace yet. I had a reverse journey – grew up Protestant (with questions) and now Catholic.
I would add the qualities of ‘affirming’, ‘positive’ and ‘thoughtful’ to “authentic, sincere, honest and transparent”. Thank you for stepping out in faith, but please, no articles on politics or finance
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Everything that I have read, that you have written has always been authentic, real, sincere and many times, because it’s usually personal, very brave. You are always respectful, no matter how controversial the topic. As long as you are respectful of others opinions, you should write away!!…..About anything you want!
If anyone writes anything nasty about you or your article, they can suck it!! Scott is right, he respectfully says they haven’t found peace. You respectfully call them “teachers”. I would take it one step further and say if they wrote something negative they are a whack job.
I read your article. You did not bash anyone, or insult anyone. You talked about your experiences, and were very positive. Someone may argue a different point, but they should not be attacking you. Ever argue with a whack job? It’s not easy. I have a few in my family. You can be as logical and as civil as possible and a whack job will hear whatever they want and attack you.
You should do an article on the Yankees one day! Watch how many teachers will come out of the woodwork then.