Losing Community, Gaining Myself

I was always the Christian girl that the other friends I worked with loved to be low brow with. They would call me funny because I cussed. They would call me real because I was myself and said what I thought even if the other more traditional Christians didn't like or believe what I was saying. See, I knew I could be myself with those smaller groups, safer people who I didn't offend but we couldn't be ourselves in the larger group.

And you see, I haven't changed. But, I am no longer afraid to be myself in the larger group. I am finally prioritizing authenticity, over transactional belief-based friendship, and it is so good! If your shifting evolution and organic change takes people from your life, I'm willing to pay that price. It has made space for the most unconditionally loving and spiritual friendships that I have ever had!

I have always unconditionally loved others, but now that I'm doing that out loud, I'm seeing the apologetic explanations and pseudo-pity coming from people who think I've changed. I feel misunderstood sometimes, but I'm letting them write their stories, because that is all they are...a story to solidify their own belief system. So, if you feel the same. Or, if you seek to understand people who feel the same, we are starting monthly community calls for ALL people looking for a spiritual movement community to call home regardless of your belief system. Simply, because you are human, and being a human is really hard. You can register for them here: https://www.livefreetrainings.com/workshops

Each month we'll authentically talk through a new topic and enjoy a practice together. Just for the sake of community and it's healing power for us, no other reason. They are free. But, they will not be recorded and sent out as our other workshops are. Due the sensitive and private nature of some of the conversations, we'll honor the 90 minutes with privacy of those who are attending.

What Leaving Christian Culture isn't (our first free Community Conversation and Yoga Class): It's not a debate club where we argue over the “fundamentals.” It’s not just me dishing all the drama from my time working in Christian non-profits (though let’s be real…a story or two might sneak in as they helped to shape who I am today). And it’s not me handing out a checklist of what I believe now.

It’s something different, a space for real conversation, curiosity, and connection. I’d love for you to be part of it.