Our Niece, Bella, just graduated from high school. Now she’s on her way to study Psychology, so she can help people.
She and her brother, Romeo, are so close to us that they call us Shantie (Auntie Shannon) and Gankle (Uncle Gaven). They are both high school honor roll students, so we took them to Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando last November. That was a trip we’ll never forget for all the right reasons.
Back from Montreal
Another big moment in my life is that I just returned from the Sepsis Canada Symposium in Montreal. This is a meeting that brings together medical professionals from all disciplines to further research and knowledge sharing to reduce the burden of sepsis.
Sepsis costs Canadians over $1.7 BILLION & still has a mortality rate of 20%.
It blows my mind that surviving sepsis 3 times has enabled me to help the medical community as a Patient Partner. I am further gobsmacked to be trained to do research & just had a paper that I contributed to published.
Self-Esteem Glow Up
But I guess the part I have the most difficulty reconciling is that I have a voice in the sepsis community? People want to hear what I have to say?
The sad truth is I’ve been told to shut up all my life, & worse, I allowed myself to be silenced.
I’ll never understand why, but most females have always disliked me. Back in nursery school, I remember it being hard to fit in. I was a loud, bubbly, energetic little girl & it proved too much for most people. So instead of a girls’ girl, I became a guys’ girl.
Even as a spectacle in many bands, I was too loud, sang too much & was to sing, not speak. I can only imagine what I could’ve become if I hadn’t let other people shrink me.
This became my mantra:
If I’m too much, maybe you’re not enough!
Evolving
Maybe it’s an age thing. I’ve gained the life experience and confidence to not care as much about what other people think of me. I’ll never not care, but I’ve accepted that’s just part of the human condition.
What I love most about this time in my life is being able to grow relationships with other women. Instead of judging and belittling one another, we support and lift each other up.
So what has caused the shift in valuing myself? I’m finally in a place where I’m loved, safe, seen…and further to that, respected.
Life Lessons
I get cow-towing to bullies. I’ve done it all my life.
But I guess my point is:
Be your own person. Not who society expects you to be.
When you’ve been mistreated, recognize that it’s a them issue, not a you issue.
Don’t become the bully yourself. You’re better than that.
Practice boundaries! Your peace is more important than obligations!
And most importantly,
Don’t ever dim your light for anyone!
Find the courage to shine BRIGHTER!
