Tag Archives: reflections

The power of vulnerability to build community.

Posted in AccessTheStory, Life, SocMed by

I use social media a lot. I’m on Facebook, Instagram and twitter, the first two I use constantly, I mean, regularly. 😉 I also manage The Simple Life and contribute to AccessTheStory. (So many hyperlinks…)

With all of that ^^ in mind, I have a pretty strict and complicated personal social media policy. Every post gets filtered through a ton of internal screening questions, one of which prevents me some sharing anything too personal, negative or controversial.

This year I’ve been experimenting with stepping outside my normal boundaries, being a tad vulnerable and writing more open and honest posts. *cue dramatic music here*

vulnerability equals community

1) A couple months ago I shared this post, my first risk, describing a journey of burnout and recovery, at a level a lot more open and vulnerable than normal. #lifesuckssometimes

2) I followed it up with this post, sharing my progress after some time away in a really helpful and healing environment. #thereishope

3) Then recently, I shared this post about my burnout recovery. #itdoesgetbetter

It blew me away that after each post was published, it sparked a particular response from people. Messages of encouragement, people sharing their own stories, admiration for my courage in being honest… I heard from all kinds of people – some from my past, some I hadn’t heard from in ages, as well as close friends.

It occurred to me that by choosing to be vulnerable, I had created a space for others to step out, share their story with me, offer encouragement, even words of affirmation that truly meant so much to me.

Call me crazy, but that sounds like community, no? People sharing their stories, even if only momentarily, encouraging each other, expressing care, gratitude and support for each other.

So it got me thinking…

What if we all stopped posting our perfect lives, dialled back the filter a bit, relaxed our social media policy and allowed some raw honesty, some vulnerability back into our broader communication?

What the worst that could happen? People might know your life isn’t perfect and that you struggle sometimes too. Big deal.

What’s the best that could happen? You might just inspire people to step out and be honest with themselves and others, ask for help, find support and healing in a troubled time. You might give someone an opportunity to offer you some support and encouragement. You might just build community in your world.

Doesn’t sound so bad to me. The only cost? Your vulnerability.

JB xo

Checkpoint: Part two. Post Conference.

Posted in God, Life by

[Originally published 18th March 2014]

Last week I shared this post – part one of this checkpoint which is proving to be quite the turning point for me… 

There are some verses in Psalm 38 that reflect how I was feeling last week. Words like “my heart pounds, my strength fails me, even the light has gone from my eyes” (v10) described what life has often felt like in recent months. Prayers like v22-21, “Lord, don’t forsake me; don’t be far from me my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Saviour” were similar to what I carried on my heart as I arrived in Sydney for Colour Conference*.  

I can honestly say that there was definitely a specific agenda to my being in Sydney. After months of feeling ‘deactivated’, with no clarity, living with a posture in my spirit that could only be described as down-trodden, I heard words like “you will rise“, “you have permission“, “it is personal” and these three words that cut right to the core of me, “GET. BACK. UP.“

#woah.

I was also reminded that one of my strengths is how I pour myself into what I do and that’s OK – but – I need to guard my heart (Proverbs 4:23) and be mindful of what I’m pouring myself into. 

God could not have been more specific. 

So, what does that mean for me? Where to now? Naturally I returned home chewing on those questions and keen to debrief with a close friend and mentor. Which I did. (I love a good debrief!)

I believe now, that after a few months of rest and recovery, it’s clear the next big adventure is before me, and it’s time to get back up and go. Step one involves the launch of a new ministry organisation, “Access The Story” happening next Saturday, to which you are invited, and where you will find out more of the story and adventure ahead. 

My journey up to now hasn’t been easy, but it has shaped me, taught me and obviously led me to this point today, so in the end, I am grateful. 

I am grateful… 

… for the time I could spend in Sydney, with my awesome mum, in an atmosphere of encouragement, love, community and good teaching. 

… for the specific lessons, breaking the hold my past still had over me. 

… for the power in simply choosing to be grateful! (Go on, try it….) 

… for the sale the “Superdry” store had that meant I could come home with an awesome present for my husband, Darren. 😉 (Two hoodies for the price of one? Yes please!)

… for fresh revelation that through it all I am called to love relentlessly, just as I am loved first, because darkness trembles at a love like that. (And I wanna be the kind of person that makes darkness tremble…. Don’t you?) 

As usual, my weekend at Colour Conference did not disappoint, and I confess – I did buy a conference t-shirt… I will probably wear it twice and then promote it to the pajama’s drawer. #sawitcoming

J xx

Checkpoint: Part one. Pre-conference.

Posted in God, Life by

[Originally published 13th March 2014]

Here I am again. For about the 6th time, on the eve of another Colour Conference.

I’ve been known to share a few thoughts at times like these (check here and here links below) so I thought I’d keep with tradition. Only this time, I feel we might have a two-part series on our hands. (If it were a three-part  you could start calling me Pastor Jess… #christianhumour)

So as I sit in the Sydney airport, please indulge me as I take stock of where I’m at today, to be compared with where I will be on Monday.

Since last Colour (in 2012):

Some things have changed…..

1. My marital status. Unlike another pre-Colour post, this time I have bling on my left hand and a new surname. I wonder if this will change the lens I see this weekend through? Probably.

2. My work. Two years ago I was about to go full time in a ministry role I loved. Now, I’m part time in a couple different roles as I recover from burnout caused by the aforementioned role. #irony

3. My priorities. These days I care a lot less about the social aspect of the days before me and instead hope to get some space.

4. My clarity. I have none. Well, maybe a little bit. Certainly much less than I wish I had.

Some things are the same…

1. My pre-conference nerves. You would be the same if you were as introverted as me and were preparing to be in a room with 16,000+ other women. #somuchoestrogen

2. My anticipation. Every time I’ve been at Colour I have always come home with greater understanding, clarity (here’s hoping!), and passion for what I’m put on this earth to do.

3. My desire for shoe shopping. Enough said.

4. My mum is by my side. I do love me some quality mumma-daughter time. Will miss my sister though, who I also love doing conference with.

My hope for the next few days is that I find some space to mentally and spiritually stretch out, work through a few things in my head that are bugging me, eat some yummy Thai food and not buy any of the merchandise that I know deep down I don’t need.

Until Monday….

Jess xx

 

Taking stock… A 12 month checkpoint.

Posted in Fun, God, Life by

[Originally published 15th March 2012]

I am sitting in the Sydney Entertainment Centre surrounded by thousands and thousands of women. It’s that time of year, again. The time when I brave my fear of large crowds, let go of my Hillsong skepticism, forget about my work emails and bask in the beauty of sitting still, being one of the many, and learning. Its time to plug in and soak it up!

This time last year I wrote this blog… And what a 12 months it has been since then! For the third year in a row I am facing significant change in work and I am bringing it to colour conference to lay it down, seek guidance, receive peace, renewal and restoration of the heart as I brace myself for a new level. (And a busier workload… Again!!)

As always, I am thankful for the journey that is my life, but I am particularly thankful for these past few years especially. I believe I have grown more in this time than any other season in my 28 years of life. For the third year in a row, these few days in Sydney will be a ‘marker’ in my year that launch me into the growth that lies ahead. Bring it on, I say.

It makes me wonder, what will I be writing about this time next year?

(For the record, I was battling identity issues last year as a single woman. I dealt with that at last years conference and met my now-boyfriend, Darren, a few weeks later… God has a wicked sense of humour.)

Top 10 memories of 2011

Posted in Fun, Life by

[Originally published 31st December 2011]

In no particular order….

1. Colour conference with Mum, Emma, Baby-C and friends.

2. Sadly leaving my role as conductor/accompanist at the Australian Youth Choir.

3. Meeting my Darren. (“You’re the Green Team chick, right?”)

4. Moving house.

5. Three funerals 😦

6. Increased hours at Encounter Youth and the launch of Hindley St Project

7. Community times at schoolies.

8. Two Immerse events – YITS in February and Perth in July.

9. Gospo choir

10. Most successful schoolies (Green Team) yet.

Thanks to everyone who made these memories what they are to me. My friends and family are in and through each of life’s experiences and nothing would be the same without you.

I wonder what 2012 has in store?

Happy New Year all.

J xo