I’ve been a member of The Influence Network for over a year now, and it–specifically the women it’s brought into my life–has changed me enormously. Changed everything.

I met Jacey on the flight home from The Influence Conference last year–somehow we’d managed to miss each other during our time in Indianapolis.  We formed a writing group with another Influence girl, Liz, and it’s wonderful knowing that I have these two girls ready and willing to give me their honest feedback and cheer me on.

In February, I attended a gathering of local Influence members, and it was a sweet morning of solidarity, of “me too!” and “I’m SO glad we’ve met.”

Brittany and I met that day, and we’ve collaborated and supported each other numerous times since then.  I’m so grateful for her friendship–and her graphic design expertise.

I joined the network for mainly practical reasons; I was starting a new blog and I needed help. But the tagline on the site, “find the women who will stand behind you,” proved to be true, and I have met some life-long friends through the network and the conference.  From sending me cards and e-mails when my grandma died, to teaching me how to create a signature in gmail and editing my writing, these girls have my back, and the blessing of their friendship is tremendous.

Pursuing our dreams, our creative pursuits, putting our hearts out there on our blogs and in our businesses and in our lives, requires bravery. But even more than that, it requires community.

We need your talents, your unique insights, your quirky sense of humor and your kind heart.  We need you.  Join us?

(Also, check out this post from just after The Influence Conference last year, where I go deep into the healing the Lord did in my heart through Influence with regard to community and friendships with women.)

This post is a link up with The Influence Network.

 

I have a thing with my legs.

Since I was about 15, shorts and short skirts and dresses have been a no go (unless I can wear thick, cute tights–fall and winter are my jam).  A couple of months ago my mom proudly presented me with a very pretty, short dress she’d bought for me.  I stared at her. “You know I don’t show my legs.”

In high school, I went to a prep school that required uniforms. Girls had a choice between wearing pants or a knee-length skirt; I wore pants every.single.day.  EXCEPT–Wednesdays. On Wednesdays we had a formal hour-long Eucharist service, and all girls had to wear the uniform skirt.  I dreaded Wednesdays.  I can still remember the sick feeling in my stomach, walking around campus with my legs on display. Cold sweats, pounding heart.  I hated Wednesdays.

Like I said, I have a thing with my legs.

Last month, I went to New Orleans with my college BFF, Cara Maggie.  It was super hot and muggy, and we were kinda miserable walking around the French Quarter.

In our search for an air-conditioned place to spend some time in, we stumbled upon the BEST store–Trashy Diva.  Most of their clothes are short skirts and dresses, so I ended up just sitting on a comfy chair and giving Cara feedback on the things she was trying on.

Then, she walked out of the fitting room in a green and blue floral dress.  It was beautiful.  And knee length.

I tried it on, and I loved it.  But my legs… I had a little chat with the salesgirl/stylist about it (most honest body issue talk with a stranger EVER), glanced down at my new freedom tattoo (more on that later!), and bought the dress.

2014: my year of freedom.

(Also, how amazing is this Jo Totes camera bag?! I absolutely adore it–especially for travel. Totally worth the investment.)

 What body image issues and fears do you need to get free from?

So, I’ve decided to try out this Five Minute Friday thing for the first time.  Five minutes of free writing–no planning ahead, no editing, no censoring. Today’s prompt is “belong.” Here goes…

For most of my life, I’ve struggled to feel that I truly belong.  I’ve always felt like an “other,” on the outskirts.  The awkward turtle.  Much to my surprise and annoyance, this did not go away when I became an adult. Not even when I turned 30.  Turns out it’s just as easy to feel outside the circle when you’re surrounded by soccer moms and young marrieds as it is when you’re surrounded by 17 year old girls.

Several times in the past year I’ve written about being brave, and about embracing freedom in all areas of my life.  One of the most freeing things I’ve realized? I do belong.  I am a daughter of the king, and He has called me by name to join His family, to be adopted, to take my place at the table.

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Girls: can we stop competing and being so intimidated by each other? We’re sisters, and we all belong.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been feeling worn out, drained, and exhausted the past couple of months, with absolutely zero desire or ability to do anything creative or productive. Every time I would sit down with my laptop to write, or venture out with my big girl camera, I ended up giving up very quickly.

Watching Parenthood–again–on Netflix was just so much easier.

A few weeks ago, I was complaining to a friend at work about how drained and worn out I felt. She told me that she’d been learning a lot about the importance of self care, and pouring into yourself so you can pour out to others. Super basic and obvious, right?

The thing is, it’s impossible to create–to flourish–from a place of emptiness. An empty cup has nothing to pour out. Beyond that, when we try to create or serve from a place of exhaustion, to pour out of an empty cup, we are working from our own strength and striving, rather than from a place of blessing and rest in the Lord.

I realized I need to take time out to rest and take care of myself and fill my cup back up.

If you’re feeling stuck, with nothing to give, maybe your cup needs to be filled, too. Maybe, like me, you need to take a step back and have a little rest and get filled back up again.

Some ways I’ve been refilling and recharging:

-listening to life-giving sermons (I love Joyce Meyer’s podcast) on my way to and from work

-taking a break from blogging and basically anything productive

-forcing myself to go to bed earlier and get more sleep

-spending time outside (usually just sitting and reading with a glass of wine)

-working out–sucks in the moment, but it’s so, so worth it

-reading novels for the first time in ages

Are you feeling empty and worn out? What are you doing to recharge? Share on Instagram and Twitter using #refillyourcup