PCOS Awareness Month

Stay tuned to Stories of Hope

• The event

• The aftermath (physical, psychological and such)

• The healing

#BeTheHope: Holiday Edition

I've been MIA, again. I do apologize. But when I disappear, know I haven't forgotten to post, ironically neither is it because I do not have anything to post, but most likely, I had to prioritize my days... and it just didn't allow for me to put pen to paper (metaphorically speaking).

Anyhoo...its Christmas!!! Some suggest that it is the most wonderful time of the year! I happen to enjoy it, although less of the commercialism and more for the family time.

This year, there was a lot of new beginnings and growths and expansions for me.  The biggest one is probably Stories of Hope... which technically "began" last November.  For the next 12 days, on our social media platforms, 
FB: ourSOH
IG: ourSOH

We will be featuring some amazing partners in this journey who have been "the hope" as it relates to the various aspects of Stories of Hope being a reality.

On the 12th day of hope... we honor Tyrone Burrows, Jr... as we know him- TJ.

check out the post on FB or IG!

grace, peace and love
Dr Gia

#HOPE day

Even when you can't "see", keep looking forward and upward. 

There is more.

Selah

Grace, peace, and love,
Dr Gia

Storytelling

I stumbled into storytelling. 

Really.  I didn't know.. it was a thing.  But now I infuse it in almost every role I play. I'm still working on the skills but I'm getting there.

I have a couple strong beliefs. Values. One is that nothing happens by chance. ever. I believe that there are laws of life and because of our interconnectedness, one thing may lead to another.  In other instances, when the occurrence is not a result of someone (or my own) choices, then I look to the ultimate Storyteller as I'm always certain, He is up to something. This balances my life a bit, because I can now see and understand that even though God is all powerful and mighty and all kinds of amazing, I can also acknowledge and accept that He doesn't "cause" all of the circumstances that occur in my life.   But what I am confident in (another strong belief) that He ensures that the parts of the story... whether in my control or due to another's choices come together to not just "make sense" but also to work together for good.

And its the crux of that last part why I love storytelling. It facilitates hope. It builds and strengthens one's belief that "you are not alone". You can find strength and encouragement and storytelling helps to build communities.

From early times, stories have been centre to building and sustaining. The best example to use is the Jewish culture and the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, which held the stories  that united a people. 

And the stories brought hope. You see, the same God- Yahweh, who

• spared Joseph from death, positioned him and then saved nations through him,

is the same God who

• brought the baby Moses to the palace then to the wilderness and back to the palace but as the hero of an enslaved people.

is the same God who

• chose that a little shepherd boy, who would be trained in the wild, and from that training, face a giant- --kill him, and eventually lead a nation.

Their stories inspired.  They reminded them of God's goodness and faithfulness and the stories became the crux of many of their celebrations and special holidays. 

Our stories do that.  When we share of our authentic selves, others get to see and hear how you overcome.  They get to get a perspective that may have been lost on them due to being entrenched in their own drama. We connect. We inspire. We hope.

My story for  Stories of Hope speaks to the beauty of the big picture. It requires wayyy more than this post can handle, but here are highlights of how this shy, timid, introvert who loves reading, is passionate about helping people but limited by her own views of self manages to be co-launching a tv show and nonprofit.

• From early college (1998ish) wanted to help people and was attracted to psychology
• 2002 completed masters programme in Mental health counseling
• Then worked as a therapist and found myself quickly getting bored and frustrated with individual therapy
• Moved into doctoral program where I could become equipped to address emotional and mental health issues from a more systematic way, groups/communities
• Was really intrigued with concept of resilience...there was something about being faced with impossibilities but still coming out, alive that just pulled to the core of who I am.  I was always a sucker for the underdog movies.
• Started with qualitative research back in 2012...thought it was going to be a better way to explore the concepts of hope and resilience.
• Came home..thought I was going to immediately start another nonprofit.  Each effort of that never materialized.
• Got an invite to apply for a nonprofit. applied. got hired. Worked there for 2.5 years and met some amazing people and really boosted my skills beyond what I had learned in school.
• Chatting with colleague turned friend about negativity in media and community... thinking there has to be more
• Answered the call and started Stories of Hope with Dr Gia (2016)
• More tugging. more "calls" (think Moana post)... I (with a friend), we are answering. We are here... and steamrolling and adding to the story.

Grace, peace, and love,
r Gia

Is your Oxygen mask on?

"In the event of a decompression, an oxygen mask will automatically appear in front of you. To start the flow of oxygen, pull the mask towards you. Place it firmly over your nose and mouth, secure the elastic band behind your head, and breathe normally. Although the bag does not inflate, oxygen is flowing to the mask. If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist the other person."

Do you have an oxygen mask?

... are you wearing it?

I’m sure the schpeel above is familiar to almost all of you, as you would have traveled by air and received these instructions at the beginning of every leg of your travel.

I want you to think, intentionally, about whether you have prioritised yourself in the context of your caregiving, ministry or generally in life (family or social committments).

This is important for the simple fact, that you are less effective in your roles, if you are not your best self.  Does this mean that every day you will have great, strong, balanced moments?

Surely not, but it does speak to you having in place, boundaries that lend itself to you, ensuring a steady flow of oxygen is circulating to your brain, lungs, heart, life. And when those things have a healthy dose of oxygen flowing through, rest assured everything else you are in contact with, will flourish.

“Without the oxygen mask in times where the demands on your life is significant, you run the risk of burnout”

How Far I'll Go

Lyrics from "Moana"
I've been standing at the edge of the water
Long as I can remember
Never really knowing why
I wish I could be the perfect daughter
But I come back to the water
No matter how hard I try

Every turn I take
Every trail I track
Every path I make
Every road leads back to the place I know
Where I cannot go
Where I long to be

See the line where the sky meets the sea
It calls me
No one knows how far it goes
If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me
One day I'll know
If I go there's just no telling how far I'll go

I know everybody on this island
Seems so happy on this island
Everything is by design
I know everybody on this island
Has a role on this island
So maybe I can roll with mine

I can lead with pride
I can make us strong
I'll be satisfied if I play along
But the voice inside sings a different song
What is wrong with me

See the light as it shines on the sea
It's blinding
But no one knows how deep it goes
And it seems like it's calling out to me
So come find me
And let me know
What's beyond that line
Will I cross that line

See the line where the sky meets the sea
It calls me
And no one knows how far it goes
If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me
One day I'll know
How far I'll go

Lyrics compiled by Disneyclips.com

We went to a Moana party about a month ago and before the party, I was given the song to introduce to Daelyn in case she hadn't been aware of it so she could sing during the activities. 

So while we drove around on Saturday it was on repeat and so I really go an opportunity to  listen, hear.... chew and then embrace.

Are you one of those who have tried hard to align, to fit in, to dim yourself or change your dream to make it fit with what you see around you?

I don't know that I  have always felt this way but I know I have some dreams and the details attached to the Dream seem so "extra".  Like I look around and see others that are similar to my projects/goals/vision and think, "no! Not that like that! "

“No, not like that! That’s not quite... “it”.”

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying they are doing it wrong but I see overlap in what I want but as I try to wrap my head around and plan or dream some more... the models I see in my head... Just. Doesn't. Match. So I find myself looking out. Deeper. And in a lot of ways second guessing myself.

Words I fight are ones that society uses to make people feel bad about their standards. Yes, the words emerged for a reason and I'm sure there are negative extremes for every action and within every group but more than negative extremes, I think the words were designed to silence and muzzle. To maintain status quo and resist growth, maturity and expansion. 

you know:  Fight change with all we've got. 

"You/she think she's better than us."
"Bourgeois" pronounced boogey
"Why you have to have all that?"
"Nothing is wrong with ___________" insert the  average or popular option here.
"Stop being extra" or "why you gatta be so extra?"
 

And I'm taken aback that while I type this up, I uttered one of these phrases to my daughter.

:Clutches pearls:

You see my daughter is being trained daily by me. While she is a splitting image of her dad and is similar in some natural propensities (e.g. The popular one), I am intentionally raising her to not dim her shine. And while I teach that, I also have to ensure my default responses when I am fatigued, annoyed or distracted counter all that I support.

Reality is... Pioneers. History Makers very rarely fit the mold. 

Its always the square peg in round hole phenomenon. And I've been feeling like this more and more lately

I'm still generally not comfortable with where I divert from the norm or what is "expected". I'm less of a pushover about it now, but in some ways, I have always been strong in will. You see, once I commit, I commit. What I personally struggle to overcome is owning it. 

Being confident about that little twinkle, that makes me, me.

The twinkle that motivates a different way of thinking, being and doing.  That twinkle that is purposeful as I know that there is a gift and a purpose that the world needs. The same is true for you.  What calls to your heart?

that nagging, can't-shake-it yearning...

Go ahead. answer it. 

and shine.

Grace, peace and love,
Dr Gia