inRL 2013

I spent this weekend at a conference with 6,000 other women. Right here, at home. And, everywhere else around the world, too. Made some new friends. Met a neighbor (we're 4 blocks apart?) but went all the way to Annandale to do it. Laughed till I cried. And cried until I laughed. We spent the weekend talking about STAYING. Staying when it's hard. Staying when you don't want to. Being the one to reach out, even when you are afraid. It takes courage, it takes love. Sometimes it takes a kick in the behind, or a friend reaching out for your hand and DRAGGING you along. But it's worth it.

I took a lot of interesting tidbits from the weekend. So rather than a long flowery post (which really, I am not sure I can write one of those anyway. I mostly write in 5 minute spurts, with a prompting from Lisa-Jo), I thought I would just bring you my list of a-ha thoughts from my incredible inRL experience.

* I don't remember who said what, and who thought what, and what are my own thoughts. So don't assume these words are mine. Especially if you KNOW they are yours, or someone else's. Just take them in. I'm sharing what I heard as well as what I "thinkity-thinked" on my own.




On mentors
- We mentor just by being WILLING to tell our stories, because God gave us each a story to tell.
- Never be afraid to speak encouragement into someone else's life.
- Speak life into the people in your sphere
- It's walking over the mountains AND through the valleys
- It is NOT about seeing results, it IS about planting seeds
- It's not about being perfect. It's about being perfectly open.  
- They meet you where you're at. They let you be yourself. They sometimes just "guide the crazy" a little bit.

On community
- We don't need information. (you can google anything). We need connection.
- God built us for community
- Small is the new big
- We all have a different journey. But sometimes the bits of your journey are something someone else needs / wants / has been through too. Share your bits, and others will feel willing to share their bits too.

On girlfriends
- We are strong
- We are resilient
- We are survivors
- We are women of hope
- We are huggers; criers; lovers; laughers.
- Above all, we are REAL.  

And ... it's OK to say ... My life is a mess this week. How's yours?  :-)

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Here's a peek at my NoVA inRL ladies from this weekend