Tonight my friend Mindy and I attended a PostSecret Live event held in Seattle. PostSecret is a project started by Frank Warren back in the day (circa 2004), where he encouraged people to anonymously mail their secrets to him on postcards. He started posting them on a blog and it has grown tremendously since it started; it now includes books and the tour, and he still updates secrets every Saturday night at midnight. Mindy and I have been following PostSecret for years and I've been waiting for the opportunity to see him speak. It came tonight!
A lot of secrets that are submitted are about troubles in people's lives. Frank talked about his own dark, challenging times growing up, and how they have led him to be the person that he is today. He said he wouldn't go back and change them, even if he could. There are lessons to learn and grace to develop from all of the adversities that you face, and life can really be special when the darkness finally turns lighter and you're able to overcome the challenges that you faced and develop into an even better person than before.
I'm not one to get too sappy or soft (heck, I don't even cry at movies), but his words really touched me tonight. He helped me to remember that this very dark thing I'm going through will only help to shape me into the person I'm meant to be and make me a better person overall. I've tried to stay positive through this ordeal, but the reality and scariness is starting to sink in a bit, and I've struggled at times the last couple of days to keep it all together. But, I truly believe that this whole experience will make me a stronger person. I'm hoping it also makes me more patient, more compassionate towards others, and more open about sharing my feelings towards my loved ones. (I love you guys...)
Frank read a short quote from MLK Jr. that seemed quite fitting, and I'm having a hard time tracking it down online right now. It was something about undeserved adversity resulting in redemption... or something like that... and it hit home for me. If I find that quote, I'll share it on here.
What you are learning Sara is so true. I believe we grow the most when life is the hardest. The tough things do help us to become the people we are meant to be. If life were always easy and good, we would never be grateful or kind....I think we would be complacent and cynical. I hope you do learn to reach out to others and share your feelings...and as you do you will realize that you are loved by so many and that you are the only YOU that God has made...and that makes you very special indeed. Love you Sara....
ReplyDeleteAunt Cheryl