Expert=”having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)”
I have never really thought of myself as an expert at anything. However, life has taught me a lot about being the daughter of a woman who lives daily with a mental illness. My experiences have shaped me into the woman of faith that I am today. And looking at that definition, I do know a lot based on the experiences I have had in life.
However, it took me a really long time to tell my families journey of mental health. In fact, it took me eighteen years before I really told anyone because I saw the stigma associated with the illness. The story was locked tightly against my heart.
But the day I finally told our story, there was a sense of freedom and peace that immediately came over me. And once the story was released from my heart, I could not not tell my story. It is a huge piece of who I am.
Telling my story has become a huge gift for not only me but especially for many of the people I encounter. I have been able to support friends and family who are struggling. I have been able to share my story in the hopes that it might help someone else.
If I had let fear win, I wouldn’t have ever told my story; our story of mental health. And if I had let fear win, I wouldn’t have applied to lead a workshop at the ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza in January 2019. And because I didn’t let fear win, I will be doing exactly that—leading a worship about mental health.
I am excited but I also am a little scared. What do I know that I can teach them? How am I an expert? Why is it important for me to share my story; our story? What I have learned is that I may not think that I am an expert, but my experiences say differently. So I will continue to tell my story and not let fear win!
“The bravest thing you’ll ever do is tell your story”–Brene Brown
Mental Health has been such an issue and the truth through our real life stories needs to be told.
Yes!!