Seventeen with a Passion - episode 82
I met our guest a couple of days ago. We struck up a conversation which ended up with us booking this episode. It’s fascinating the way things work out sometimes. Turns out she is 17 and in college, very humble and has a deep passion she shares with us. I want to applaud her for being bold and brave in doing so.
I hope I was able to really speak life into who she is, what she believes. It is so important to me to give space for each person to be who they are. We need to be respectful not shameful when others don’t think/feel/believe the way we do. I realize this is not always easy to do but it should be our goal. Each person has their own journey, and they need to do it their own way. Thanks for reminding us of that, Mia.
*Transcript of conversation available in episode notes.
Friendly. Compassionate. Mellow.
— Mia
What did I learn from Saturday?
Since I met Mia at the retreat I thought I would share with you some of my takeaways from the event. One, it was wonderful to be with a large group of women singing songs, listening to inspired teaching, and being together. Next, four different women came (in part) to support me as I had the honor of being one of the workshop leaders. Two dear friends: Arlana (Ruby Red Slippers, episode 30), Amy (Walking Off a Cliff, episode 26) and two family members: my mom Cheryl (This Woman, blog post with episode 48) and last but not least my sister-in-law, Nancy (haven’t featured her yet!) There is something about being supported, about being encouraged that is food for the soul. We all need that - people in our corner. Thank you for spurring me on.
I would be giving a talk during two different breakout sessions. I absolutely love the challenge of being inspired by a topic, doing research, figuring out the angle I want to come at, and finding ways to impart what I’ve found with some humor, insight and impact. Above all my style is to be interactive and collaborative whenever possible.
We were given a list of woman from the New Testament and we could choose one. I chose Martha. Why? Because I can relate to Martha. Because I think she is misunderstood. I think she gets a bad rap for not wanting to do all the grunt work herself. We looked at how to make her three-dimensional by theorizing she is a first-born, Type A and probably an Enneagram 1 (The Moral Perfectionist). Then we looked at the second time we see her when her brother Lazarus has died and she tells Jesus he should have been there because surely her brother wouldn’t have died.
My thought is that Martha was being herself. She felt so close to Jesus that she could be herself; she could complain, she could implore. Martha got to be Martha. And Jesus loved her in spite of, or because of, her shortcomings. The bottom line? She was loved and she knew it. When you’re loved, and you know it, you can be yourself. It’s safe to be yourself. You are invited, encouraged, beckoned to be yourself.
We went on to do an exercise about purpose and calling. (Thank you Michelle LeBeau.) Purpose is the unique thing you have to give, and calling is what people receive from you when you are living in your purpose. You need to distill it two words and they should be concise, impactful words. We spent time working on it individually then brought it back to the group to do some collective noodling. While there are no right or wrong answers, it needs to feel true and right for each person. This is a fluid process, changing at different times, with people, work, etc. To say I was completely in my element by sharing, encouraging, imparting is an understatement. I received as much, if not more, than I gave.
Lastly here is my purpose and calling for Martha:
Purpose – What she gives - Ordered care
Calling – What they get - Nurtured lives
And for my own, in running this podcast, and stepping into the coaching arena (stay tuned, this is in the works!)
Purpose – What I give - Encouraged authenticity
Calling – What they get - Empowered revelation
That is what I learned from Saturday. Friendship, support, creating, sharing, listening, singing, dancing are all worthwhile pastimes. And to Cynthia Blase, thanks for being the ringleader. We need more of that.
Women who support other women are confident, generous, visionaries.
Mariela Dabbah
