What Will You Make of It?

This weekend, my son, Garrett, graduated from high school. We’re so proud of him. And equally excited to be part of this next chapter. To watch and see what paths he chooses as he begins to build the life he’ll create. To continue to get to know the man he’s becoming. To cheer him on and help him along on his journey.

Another huge gift was getting to see my parents and my 93-year old Grannie. We’ve not seen them since Christmas 2019! My Grannie’s been a huge part of our lives, and we’re just crazy about her. Could she be any cuter in her pink pantsuit??

There’s something so hopeful and exciting about reaching a milestone that’s been on the horizon for so long. When Garrett started kindergarten years ago, hearing that his would be “class of 2021” sounded like a far-off time that didn’t even make sense. But here we are. Reaching the end of one adventure and starting off on a fresh, new one.

For the 2nd year, I’m reading through the Bible with the She Reads Truth app in my morning quiet time. Last year, I read the NIV version, and this year, it’s the Message Bible. This morning, I read these words:

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of His healing comfort–we get a full measure of that, too.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 MSG (emphasis mine)

I work with so many amazing women who have walked through hard times. Truly, haven’t we all? Life takes an unexpected–and often unwelcome–turn, and you find yourself walking a road you never imagined. But somehow, you put one foot in front of the other, take one breath after another, and eventually find yourself on the other side of where you’d been.

You’re finally able to close one chapter as you begin another. And you now have a treasure of wisdom, hope and encouragement to share when you share your story. When you come alongside someone else going through their own hard time.

I love this quote and think of it often as I work with clients:

“It is what it is. But it will be what you make of it.”

Pat Summit

“It is what it is.” Truer words, right? Whatever “it” is, that’s what it is. You didn’t like it. You didn’t pick it. But you got it. The good news: You made it through it. And the even better news: You can take what you learned and walk in your purpose, finding meaning and impact through sharing your own story to help other people through theirs.

“It will be what you make of it.” Don’t just let it be what it is, or was. Make it mean something beautiful and amazing by taking what you learned or earned the hard way and sharing it freely to help someone else. Make it mean something more. Make it matter.

Whether you’re dreaming of stepping onto a stage to share your story, or you’re sharing more of your personal story on Facebook. Maybe you’re blogging, or just chatting over coffee with a friend. You’ve got a story to share. You’ve lived through hard times and learned things along the way that can be the light and hope, the encouragement and wisdom someone else needs.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, when you share your story today, you’re as likely to be talking to a camera as talking to a room full of people. I’m hopeful a new normal with more gatherings is right around the corner. And I believe it is. But even so, virtual speaking and video storytelling are going nowhere.

If you’re looking to share your story, you’re going to want to get comfortable and confident in front of the camera. So I’ve got a little gift for you. I created my Comfy on Camera guide to share my best tips and a few tools that are helping me. I hope they’ll help you, too.

If you’d like the Comfy on Camera guide, shoot me an email at Lori@SpeakHerCoach.com. I’ll get right over to you. And if you have a friend who could use a little of the same help, send her my way. I’ll be happy to share it with her as well.