My True Story back in July 2010
I lost my eldest son Graham in 2004, tragically.
Six years later my grief from his death found myself sitting in a small circle with a small group of individuals that I was growing to appreciate and connect with. This was my 3rd day with my special people of 5 and we were opening up ourselves in this safe environment once again. Our facilitator would put forward a question for each of us to share out loud. At this moment on this particular session saw us turn to each member of our group and share something that we valued about them. We only had 2 minutes. I sat beside an aboriginal man who was a retired RCMP officer and it was his turn to say something about me.
He was a deep thinking man and sharing and communicating personal feelings was especially difficult for him. So when he started with this: “Donna.” (pause) “You are brave”. (another pause) “You are open about your struggles but not in a way that you want anyone to feel sorry for you. You are not looking for that. You want to learn and seek and that is bravery. “
Those were the kindest words anyone had ever said to me and he said it with such integrity and knowingness. I have great interest in the aboriginal culture and was so honoured that he thought that about me. He was always so authentic and full of integrity throughout this seminar. I admired him and all things he had experienced over his career.
On the seminar break shortly after, he apparently was not done sharing with me, as we stood around sipping our coffee, he surprised me once again by stating to me “Donna when was the last time that you laughed.”?
Hello? Are we back to me again. The sharing group session is over, right.?
He continued, “I mean really laughed deep down from your gut laughter.”? I replied that I could laugh and share easily. He quickly clarified, “what I mean is can you laugh deep down and purely chuckle and have a hearty gut-wrenching laugh?” I was stunned but he also had my full attention. First I was impressed that he still seemed to still have this to say to me after the “bravery” crown he put on my head from our small group sharing just mere minutes ago. I had this person here who was so real and honest and willing to put his arms around another person (me) and recognizing I had to feel freedom of being true and enjoying it. He must have noticed my bravery had some holding back behind it.
It took all of 5 minutes during that little coffee break to realize that it would be fabulous if I just felt the release of a good whole hearty laugh. It was okay to laugh and enjoy doing it. I got it! Oh yes I knew exactly what he was telling me.
I am forever changed from that moment. Be authentically joyful and show my truthful heart.
This scripture says it all:
I lost my eldest son Graham in 2004, tragically.
Six years later my grief from his death found myself sitting in a small circle with a small group of individuals that I was growing to appreciate and connect with. This was my 3rd day with my special people of 5 and we were opening up ourselves in this safe environment once again. Our facilitator would put forward a question for each of us to share out loud. At this moment on this particular session saw us turn to each member of our group and share something that we valued about them. We only had 2 minutes. I sat beside an aboriginal man who was a retired RCMP officer and it was his turn to say something about me.
He was a deep thinking man and sharing and communicating personal feelings was especially difficult for him. So when he started with this: “Donna.” (pause) “You are brave”. (another pause) “You are open about your struggles but not in a way that you want anyone to feel sorry for you. You are not looking for that. You want to learn and seek and that is bravery. “
Those were the kindest words anyone had ever said to me and he said it with such integrity and knowingness. I have great interest in the aboriginal culture and was so honoured that he thought that about me. He was always so authentic and full of integrity throughout this seminar. I admired him and all things he had experienced over his career.
On the seminar break shortly after, he apparently was not done sharing with me, as we stood around sipping our coffee, he surprised me once again by stating to me “Donna when was the last time that you laughed.”?
Hello? Are we back to me again. The sharing group session is over, right.?
He continued, “I mean really laughed deep down from your gut laughter.”? I replied that I could laugh and share easily. He quickly clarified, “what I mean is can you laugh deep down and purely chuckle and have a hearty gut-wrenching laugh?” I was stunned but he also had my full attention. First I was impressed that he still seemed to still have this to say to me after the “bravery” crown he put on my head from our small group sharing just mere minutes ago. I had this person here who was so real and honest and willing to put his arms around another person (me) and recognizing I had to feel freedom of being true and enjoying it. He must have noticed my bravery had some holding back behind it.
It took all of 5 minutes during that little coffee break to realize that it would be fabulous if I just felt the release of a good whole hearty laugh. It was okay to laugh and enjoy doing it. I got it! Oh yes I knew exactly what he was telling me.
I am forever changed from that moment. Be authentically joyful and show my truthful heart.
This scripture says it all:
I have hated those who regard useless idols; but I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy, For you have considered my trouble.
You have known my soul in adversities, and have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a wide place.
Psalms 31: 6-8
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