I'm Not That Brave

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. ~ Marianne Williamson

I’ve been puzzled by the comments about my courage in sharing my story with others so openly. I find them on this blog, on my article on the Ricki Lake Show website, on my Facebook page and more.

I felt compelled to clarify this whole concept of my courage and bravery. 

I don’t feel brave, courageous or in any different from anyone else.

For me, sharing my story was as natural and right as sharing any other experience or knowledge I have accumulated in my oh-so-full life.

Maybe I’m more open than some, but that doesn’t make me brave. It simply makes me, well, open. There’s a much simpler reason I share as I do.  

We’re Here to Help Each Other

I believe that we are here to help each other, to learn, grow and evolve as spiritual beings and as the human race.

When we stand alone, we limit our power. When we live in community - we share our power with others, and they share theirs with us. We empower each other to be better.

Together, we are stronger. We have more possibilities, more experiences and learning, more opportunities to expand and step up to our full potential. When we join together to share our lives and learning we become bigger than our individual selves. For me, that’s the reason we’re all here.

My mom gets the credit for implanting that belief within me. She didn’t want me to be a spoiled brat only child- so she told me I had more than my fair share from God, that I needed to share my gifts with others to make God happy with me. That programming created a few issues for my adult self, but that’s another story. Regardless, I’m grateful for my mom teaching me to share and be open about my life and my experiences. Its part of what makes me who I am. 

I Simply Knew 

In the first weeks of my memory recovery - I knew my life was changing. Bigtime. Not just because of my ugly scary childhhod reality. I simply knew I was meant to do something very different in my life going forward. I knew I was meant to share my stories to help others. I can’t tell you how I knew. I simply knew. 

It never occured to me not to share my story. Especially as I learned more and more of the truth about trauma and all of the false perceptions our society holds. Even moreso as I learned how potentially detrimental traditional therapy can be to some of us with trauma - the same traditional therapy that held me in treatement for decades and never ever came close to discovering, much less healing, my deepest wounds. 

My Path with Purpose is Clear

I went through what I did as a child, lived my roller coaster life, learned the lessons along the way for one overriding reason - my path with purpose. Today, I’m stepping farther and farther along that path.

I’m creating a non-profit for kids, expanding Unstoppable U to create a program focused on teaching parents the truth about truama. Parents and adults need to know the truths so few of us know, the truths that can and will make a huge impact on our kids and their lives. We can help our kids create and maintain positive programming even in the face of our stress (and trauma) filled world. We’re also creating a site for kids - where we can share stories and Horse Sensei practices that teach kids how to positively approach life in the modern world. 

I’m also moving away from my tech consulting business and toward coaching adults with trauma. We all have trauma these days. Whether you’re an executive facing the daily potential of business failure thanks to a crazy economy, an employee pressured to perform more with less, a single mom overwhelmed with life or simply a human being watching the news  - we all have stress and stress creates trauma. I know I’m here to help others Thrive. And so - I step forward in faith.   

My life has blessed me with experiences and lessons that can help others. That’s why I’m here and that’s why I share my stories and lessons along the way.

I’ve already been honored by so many emails and private notes from folks I didn’t know - sharing their own horrible stories with me, thanking me for helping them to know they are not alone. THAT is why I’m here, and I’m honored to be a small contributor to others’ healing.

My Truth

It wasn’t courage that guided me to bring my story out into the world. It was a Path with Purpose, and a very simple knowing.

Together - we can all Thrive on the Other Side.  

Comments

[Dadblunders]

I think the saying "Truth shall set you free" says it best. I know for myself, I often find myself sharing pieces of my life on my blog. People have often told me, "how can you do that?" I am always telling them, "how can I not?"

All the various events in my life make me who I am today. Someday, when my son is older, he might actually find some meaning in some of it. I am always hoping that by me sharing others might not make some of the mistakes I have made. They might even find the courage to change things in themselves to try and find a better way.

I realize its all my opinion but I believe my opinion matters.

Aaron

[Rebel Brown]

Aaron

THANKS SO MUCH for stopping by and sharing. You rock!!!

Im not sure how so many of us were programmed to suffer in silence - or is it to keep a stiff upper lip? Anyway - seems to me that the way we can all grow is to share our experiences - and not just the good ones. Espeically with our kids. That seems to set up a pollyanna existence that simply isnt real in our world.

Im looking forward to a world where we all share the good the bad and the ugly freely and openly - knowing that it's all part of life!

Thanks again

reb