Everyone keeps asking me what was the one thing you took away or learned from Brave Girl Camp?? At first I couldn't put my finger on it, there were just too many and they all kind of smooshed together into this magical experience. But after some reflection these are the lessons I gathered...
That strength and character often
are the direct affect of adversity and pain.
That even if you think you have nothing in common with someone
you could have an indescribable common thread with them.
That I want to be generous, personal and kind to every soul
I meet and THAT is what will draw them to my spirit, my faith.
That pain is personal, and that God uses certain experiences
in our lives to mold and shape us; and that sometimes without that pain
we wouldn't be the instruments He needs
to accomplish His will in our lives.
That despite my insecurities I am talented,
creative, unique and there is only one ME.
That what I think I want,
and what I really want
may be two different things.
Everyone is an artist.
We all have the ability to express ourselves,
to create and to share a piece of who we are...
even if we think it's horrible:)
That it's ok to break the rules
every once in a while...
that it's even healthy to give in
to your cravings occasionally.
That I need space.
I need down time to think and feel and be.
That I am blessed in my home life,
personal relationships and with all that God has given to me.
That I am a house and I am responsible for who and what I let in...
is it healthy, is it uplifting, encouraging, good for me??
That I am brave!
I can spread my wings and fly...even to Idaho:)
Have a blessed day.
**Stay tuned! Actual art work is coming next:)
I can't believe I'm first! I love this post and that last picture of you. I don't know what it is about it, but yes, you look very brave.
ReplyDeleteLove this one!!!
ReplyDeleteTruth. I love it so much.
ReplyDeleteI love this. Thanks for sharing what you some of what you learned!
ReplyDeleteHi there~
ReplyDeleteI was raised in Idaho! On the border..Weston, on a 300 acre dry/dairy farm..loved it!
I enjoyed your thoughts and agree with you..I think we have more in common with people than not. This mortal experience is so good for us, I think maybe we aren't as brave as we in our pre-mortal life, but I think we're doing ok. My goal is to be like my Savoir, I hope I am at least some of the time. Thats what I love about blogging, people sharing pieces of who they are..makes me love them. Pondering time is precious..brings wonderful perspective. Thanks for sharing..you are so brave..thank you! Come say hi :D
: )
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I read this. Excellent post.
ReplyDeleteYou want to know something... Strangely this post almost has me in tears... I agree so much with your first comment of "strength and Character..." WOW! I really wish I could have some time like that. I'm so glad to be learning this through you, you truly are an inspiration Becky!
ReplyDeleteWOw what a great experience this must have been. It makes me desire such an experience to remind myself who I am and to get in touch with me. A busy life and always trying to do for others can sometimes take that away from us and we need to be reminded. Thanks so much for sharing such a personal experience.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like an incredible experience. I am so very envious of you! I can tell how life changing it was for you.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written and very inspiring....thank you for sharing Becky :)
ReplyDeleteVery eye opening post this morning ~ love it!
ReplyDeleteyes...beautifully written and i love how it changed you.
ReplyDeletexo
That is so awesome. Am I allowed to be proud of you? Your experience has inspired me...:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've had a wonderful, wonderful time and experience. Isn't it great coming off of a time like that - feeling free and like you're on the mountian top? I don't mean to sound disheartening ... but this is the way it's happened for me over the years... I would come away from a GREAT experience and then BOOM - came the "valley". Sounds low - and deep.
ReplyDeleteThe question is; Can I still see HIM in the "valley"?, Can I thank HIM for the "valley"? IF you think about what is usually in a valley, it's rich, fertile, there's water, etc. But it's also full of low-lying areas, colder tempatures- not alot of sunshine, and NO VEIW. Yet, it's only in those low vallies that there can be a deep, rich, abiding time - a REAL growing time. And, as long as you keep looking up towards the SON, there is hope for another mountian-top experience! Be BRAVE!! as you go girl!
You always, always, always, make me think! I'm sure I have told you, you have a lovely blog and I love your posts and photo's! Have a nice day! Deborah
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this!! Thanks for sharing! SO inspiring!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Jill
What an awesome experience, you learned so much! I CAN NOT wait to see your artwork too :)
ReplyDeleteGreat pics!
so inspiring!!
ReplyDeletethank you for opening up your heart out her in virtual lan & sharing a little peek inside your soul too
xo
darn it....
ReplyDeletei meant to say out "here" in the virtual blog land"
not her & lan
ugh
What a great post! Thanks for sharing and making me think this morning!
ReplyDeleteJanet
Very wise words we should all try to live. Thank you so much for sharing what's on your heart!
ReplyDeleteI think i'll just sit here and reread this one a few times....
ReplyDeletewow...
Just beautiful and so inspiring! You go Girl!!!
ReplyDeleteI loved this. You write so beautifully...it so neat to hear the lessons that you learned. I wish I could have gotten to know you a little better, I can tell you are an incredible person!
ReplyDeleteYour words just spill out onto the page so naturally and beautifully! You are such an inspiration. My favorite line from above...Everyone is an artist! So true. Thank you for being you!
ReplyDeleteI love this post. And the photos...awesome.
ReplyDeleteThank you for encouraging other woman through your beautiful writings.
I thought I was a very strong christian but with what you just said I know how to become a stronger better christian! Thanks for sharing and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteLove, {Madison}
You are amazing and you are a joy to read!
ReplyDeleteIt must have been an incredible few days for you...so many valuable lessons learned! Thanks so much for sharing your experience & thoughts; I find them truly inspiring:)
ReplyDeleteSimply and truthfully put. I love that the basic thread to what you said is balance.
ReplyDeleteI think balance in life is so often overlooked as we are scrambling to change our self, our circumstances, and our desires. Just simply letting go, stepping out but keeping healthy balance in those things is really the main thing!
Love that goofy photo of you three...
Becky.......love your reflections on Brave Girl camp!!! Can't wait to see your art work!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear that you had the chance to get away and reflect without the pressures of everyday life. It seems to have been a moving experience for you and I hope and pray you will accomplish your goals.
ReplyDeleteWell I would say you had a lot of incredible take away from your experience!!! I completely agree about making sure we choose who and what we let into our lives...YES...it should be healthy, uplifting, and good for us...very important lesson!
ReplyDelete:) T
That was touching, gently transparent and hope-filled.
ReplyDeleteYou are truly brave and an inspiration to just be real. I love that about you.
You are BRAVE indeed and bring a smile to every soul that comes to your blog and I am certain every face you meet.
Happy day to you. Sending you a bunch of Soul-Shine I am!
Wow Becky, it seems you have had some time to process your thoughts and this post was so well thought out! I love how this one little experience, made you realize more about yourself and how special you are! Amazing post my dear, from an amazing person!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post! I forget to focus on myself sometimes...thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI loved the pictures and especially the lessons learned. May this experience continue to bless your whole life! :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so amazing as I read your blogs! You girls are brave! I can't wait to see the artwork!
ReplyDeleteDear Becky,
ReplyDeleteI am soooo proud of you! What a Brave Girl you really are!! You've touched my life and I've only known you for a couple of months through the blog screen. Soooo excited for what God is going to do with you and your new courage!
You Go Girl-
Lee Ann
This sounds like an amazing life altering journey you took...it will stay with you forever!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing such great inspirational thoughts with us!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteBecky!!
ReplyDeleteLoVe your post! It was so great meeting you!
BGC was an amazing experience and one I will never forget! Take care brave girl. xoxo
awesome, so young to be so smart! beautiful blessed post. thanks for sharing these heartfelt thoughts. if you'd like some more about being an artist read Kerry's Overflow, she's last on my blog roll, and one of the best.
ReplyDeleteHey, Idaho is probably better than Mississippi!
What an inspirational post! It sounds like to walked away with so much from the camp. Sounds like something I should do :) The part where you talk about pain really touched me. That whole concept is something that God has been reinforcing in my life. It is what has gotten me though the last two years. All this pain and struggles have great purpose!
ReplyDeleteRomans 5:3-5 (NIV)
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
I'm so glad you got this opportunity!!
Those are beautiful photos to go along with this post. I particularly enjoyed this statement:
ReplyDeleteThat despite my insecurities I am talented,
creative, unique and there is only one ME.
Because this is the reminder I need everyday for myself. Thank you for putting it into words.