About a year ago, a popular writer, blogger, and speaker came under fire. She hit a wall of atrocities and did it in the public eye. She faced a ton of scrutiny and, like most of us would, shrunk back into her safe zone finding sanctity in her pack.
What I have noticed since, is a shift from the uncomfortable into the more comfortable spaces for this author. She's gravitated towards like-minded thinkers which, if we are being honest with ourselves, we all do. In this process, she has spoken out about breaking free from her branding. However, what I have noticed is that while she is freeing herself from one type of branding, she's unknowingly (or maybe consciously) moved into another branding. As much as she's wanted to completely unchain herself from the market of branding, she has done what seems to be the opposite and just re-branded herself. All the while, she's shifted those she surrounds herself with to fit the mold of the new brand.
As I watch this woman ebb and flow trying to navigate the road map of her new way, I look at myself and question who I surround myself with. Who are my people. When life pushes on me, who do I gravitate towards? Do I move towards those who whole-heartedly agree with everything that I have to say? Or, do I allow push back and challenges from my tribe? Personally, I want a little of both.
There is so much value in being supported by your peers. Of course we surround ourselves with like-minded people. It is in our humanness to want to be around people with live with a similar moral compass and lifestyle. That totally makes sense. But, I also feel it is imperative to have those people in your life that are going to call-it-like-is; the type of people that don't mind challenging your thoughts, words, and actions.
Author and speaker, Shauna Niequist, has talked about this before. She says that while she loves and appreciates all those who support her and give her a pat on the back, that isn't reality. She has an deep-rooted appreciation for the friends in her life who are real and raw with her; those that speak truths into her life even when it's difficult.
Jesus lived this way. He didn't surround himself with the spiritual elite of his day which he easily could have done. Instead, he gathered a hodge-podge of misfits to roll with. These guys (and girls) were the real-deal, the misfits, and the outlaws. They questioned him over and over again (see the story of the disciples in the boat when the storm came and Peter denying Jesus multiple times). While these guys were immensely committed to the cause of Christ, they also were real and vulnerable; totally themselves.
I desire this in my life. Look, I don't like to hear the bad stuff. I would love to live in harmony with everyone around me but that wouldn't do anything for me. Instead, it would limit my possibilities. I can't grow and change and achieve without a little push-back and honesty from my friends. Life is a mess sometimes and in that space, we need the friends that can be tender and understanding empowering us in our vision. Other times, however, we need them to speak into our lives and speak up for us when we are going a little off the rails.
I challenge you to keep the seemingly nay-sayers around. You never know. They may just push you into a version of yourself you never seemed possible.
Love & Blessings,
Megan
'That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”' Matthew 4:35-41 (emphasis mine)
What I have noticed since, is a shift from the uncomfortable into the more comfortable spaces for this author. She's gravitated towards like-minded thinkers which, if we are being honest with ourselves, we all do. In this process, she has spoken out about breaking free from her branding. However, what I have noticed is that while she is freeing herself from one type of branding, she's unknowingly (or maybe consciously) moved into another branding. As much as she's wanted to completely unchain herself from the market of branding, she has done what seems to be the opposite and just re-branded herself. All the while, she's shifted those she surrounds herself with to fit the mold of the new brand.
As I watch this woman ebb and flow trying to navigate the road map of her new way, I look at myself and question who I surround myself with. Who are my people. When life pushes on me, who do I gravitate towards? Do I move towards those who whole-heartedly agree with everything that I have to say? Or, do I allow push back and challenges from my tribe? Personally, I want a little of both.
There is so much value in being supported by your peers. Of course we surround ourselves with like-minded people. It is in our humanness to want to be around people with live with a similar moral compass and lifestyle. That totally makes sense. But, I also feel it is imperative to have those people in your life that are going to call-it-like-is; the type of people that don't mind challenging your thoughts, words, and actions.
Author and speaker, Shauna Niequist, has talked about this before. She says that while she loves and appreciates all those who support her and give her a pat on the back, that isn't reality. She has an deep-rooted appreciation for the friends in her life who are real and raw with her; those that speak truths into her life even when it's difficult.
Jesus lived this way. He didn't surround himself with the spiritual elite of his day which he easily could have done. Instead, he gathered a hodge-podge of misfits to roll with. These guys (and girls) were the real-deal, the misfits, and the outlaws. They questioned him over and over again (see the story of the disciples in the boat when the storm came and Peter denying Jesus multiple times). While these guys were immensely committed to the cause of Christ, they also were real and vulnerable; totally themselves.
I desire this in my life. Look, I don't like to hear the bad stuff. I would love to live in harmony with everyone around me but that wouldn't do anything for me. Instead, it would limit my possibilities. I can't grow and change and achieve without a little push-back and honesty from my friends. Life is a mess sometimes and in that space, we need the friends that can be tender and understanding empowering us in our vision. Other times, however, we need them to speak into our lives and speak up for us when we are going a little off the rails.
I challenge you to keep the seemingly nay-sayers around. You never know. They may just push you into a version of yourself you never seemed possible.
Love & Blessings,
Megan
'That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”' Matthew 4:35-41 (emphasis mine)
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