Photo by Kiley Flynn
Last Wednesday, 15 teens from around the U.S. and U.K., accompanied by caring adults from their communities, arrived in Tennessee for the first Laws of Life Youth Summit. They shuffled into the college campus meeting room that would become our gathering space for the next few days.
No surprise, the kids were skeptical and shy that night, unsure of themselves and each other. When I predicted that by the end of the Summit they wouldn’t want to leave each others’ sides, I got some serious eye rolls. But, lo and behold, this was the scene on the last day: hug huddles, teary eyes, and promises to reunite wherever, whenever, however possible. They couldn’t bear the thought of leaving. It broke my heart and filled it up at the same time.
This group’s ability to connect so deeply in a matter of days proved to me the power of vulnerability and authenticity. Our workshop content was designed to help them open their hearts, build trust and gain confidence in their own gifts. They did it – and it was awesome to witness their walls crumble and hearts crack wide open. But it took one brave person to open up first, and then another and another – until it felt safe enough for everyone to do the same, to share their true selves. Hopes. Dreams. Challenges. Fears.
Early in our time together, one darling girl sheepishly shared how much she adores Greek Mythology. As her peers shared more common interests – like sports or writing – she worried she’d sound like a weirdo. But once she said it, two other teens revealed they loved Greek Mythology, too. She beamed! The same thing happened over and over: it took one person brave enough to show their tender places – the difficulty of divorce, the reality of living with chronic illness, the loneliness of low self-esteem – for the walls built up around the others to come tumbling down.
Magic happens when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable – and allow others to be, too. {Just ask Brené Brown.} If I want the world to be a kinder, gentler place, I have to be the one brave enough to get the ball rolling. Truth is, we’re all weirdos. We’re all dreamers. We’re all broken.
So, let’s each be the one in our neighborhoods, in cubicle land, on committees, in book clubs to be brave enough to speak the truth and make compassion contagious. It only takes one spark to start a fire. Are you in?
Love it Liv! They will remember this experience for the rest of their lives… that is priceless. What a lucky group to be a part of something so powerful!
I so love this, Liv. Thank you for sharing! Creating deep connections can also be done at a micro level too. I so believe our interactions and relationships are holy opportunities. Even those that are fleeting. You never know. Just today at the DMV waiting for my daughter to take her permit test, I struck up a conversation another mother who’s son was on his third try for his. This time they opted for an oral exam because of his challenges with reading. We chatted until my daughter emerged after passing her test, and we got in yet another line to wait for her pic. About 30 more minutes passed, and I saw the other mother across the room as her son exited the testing area. When she looked over I gave her a tentative “thumbs up?” and she smiled ear to ear and shook her head yes, with two-thumbs up! We beamed at each other. It was sweetness. My daughter turned to me and said, you make friends everywhere! I try to, I said. I try to.
So true! Those mini moments can be so powerful, letting each other know we’re all in this together.
I’m so in! This brought tears to my eyes! Love it! I’m ready to crack open!
Thanks for sharing!
XOXOXOXOX
This is wonderful, Liv. I have been enjoying your blog for a while, thank you. (FYI, I posted a quote from today’s blog at http://Facebook.com/ReikiPulse — hope that’s a-okay, I was inspired. Don’t be shy in telling me to ask permission first next time, though!)
Warm wishes from Brooklyn,
Alice
Totally fine, Alice! I’m tickled you felt moved to share it. Thanks!
That’s super-gracious, Liv. Thank YOU.
you ARE a human sparkler:)
how beautiful for them
to open such a present
at that time in their lives
….pure raw gift.
i love that:)
and you….so much love to you,
Jennifer
Goodness, couldn’t we all use an amazing experience like this in our lives. I love, love, love that you’re teaching teens that these connections and safe places of love and acceptance exist and can be found. That they can be themselves and be loved. Oh, to have learned that at a young age. Some souls are never given the opportunity to learn it. You’ve done amazing, wonderful work Liv. xx
I am in! I have been practicing this in small doses. On my blog, usually. And with a dear friend. Why is it easier to do it on my blog than in person? I am working on that next.
I’m in!!!! I’ve seen the magic time and time and TIME again…I share something vulnerable and the next thing you know, someone shyly chimes in, ‘Me too’ and then another chimes in and so on. We *all* have our stories and we’re all a little bit broken. It’s what makes us special and unique and the more we share, the more we feel not so alone.
I love this..thank you…