“We must validate our life and its worth for others.  It can only be done on earth – others must feel our life worthwhile.”

Jean Condon Murphy, her memoirs, A Glimpse into My Life

Looking back over my grandmother’s memoirs, I can’t help but feel a sense of closeness to a woman I dearly loved who no longer walks this earth, but rather sits in heaven awaiting her families arrival, smiling down in nostalgia with a deep sense of joy for those she loves.

Taking a glimpse into her life as she so eloquently insinuated with her memoir entitled so, a plethora of emotions and a deep sense of connection take me on a journey through her life, seeing the similarities and the vast differences of our separate journeys.

Throughout her memoirs I am able to see “the other side” of events we shared and those of stories, which others have told, laughing at how two people can see the same event so differently. A sense of relief fills my soul, seeing a woman who I deemed as “perfect” eloquently share her imperfections and allow her truths to be unveiled as a token of love and lesson for those whom she loved. There is warmth that comes with knowing “I am not alone”.

In a world plagued by loneliness and discouragement, a deep sense of connection to another human being is almost a necessity.  While physically connecting is not always possible, an emotional connection is not only within arm’s reach but a necessity to propagate a sense of belonging and encouragement.  A glimpse into the life of another human being can offer solace even in the darkest times.

It’s interesting how that misconception that everyone else’s life must be “perfect” blankets the mind of individuals who feel they are bathing in life’s imperfect moments,  no one is sheltered from life’s thunderstorms, no one.

Have we as a society been trained to mask “thunderstorm” moments, down play the harsher moments of life, or simply only share the “sunniest” of moments whilst secretly seeking to have connection during the darkest of times? Stop and ask yourself are you willing to be RAW–real and authentic, offering a glimpse into your life to those seeking solace or are skeletons better left in your closet?

Since, a young child I have relied on a deep sense of knowing, mine comes from God, which shined like a beacon in the darkest of times and provided a sense of solace that the world did not offer. No, I am not immortal to pain, I just knew that their was a meaning behind the pain and was empowered by what was to come.

Society is plagued by depression or discouragement, which literally means to disempower, to remove power. Imagine if there was a global shift from disempowerment to human empowerment, the rise in depression would be greatly halted.

Having experienced my own thunderstorms and darkest hours, I see the need to be more than just light in the darkness but to seek to ignite the inner spark that lies in every single person, being more real, more authentic, and more raw, giving a glimpse of my life in exchange for hope … where there is hope there is life.

It is through my life I hope others find the necessary tools to live an empowered life with hope, understanding that abundance is their birthright.  It is through me I hope they see the love of God begin to live an empowered life. Take a glimpse into my life and join the movement to “be empowered, be RAW, be you…to be innate”.

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer…”

Romans 12:12