Friday, January 4, 2013

Strength

I read a beautiful blog post late last night by one of my all-time favorite bloggers, Kelle Hampton.  If you haven't read Kelle's story, it's one that is emotional and raw.  Her story has always hit close to home for me in a lot of different ways.  But that is for a different post...

Over the last week, I've struggled a bit.  To be completely honest, I've wondered if I did the right thing in sharing my story.  You see, I shared one of the most vulnerable parts of myself with you.  (And a bunch of other strangers.)  And up until this point, it hadn't been a huge deal.  In fact, up until this point I know I only had a few dozen people coming here regularly.

Now, that's changed.  A lot.

Kelle was speaking directly to me when she said:

If you share, if you publish, if you write, if you speak, if you are brave and decide to put yourself out there, I promise you, someone won't like it.  Someone won't agree with you.  Someone will misinterpret.  Someone will think that you are silly, unqualified and that your work is crap.  That you are crap.  They might not just think it but they might tell you.  And that won't feel good, especially not the first time you hear it.

Over the past couple weeks, I've received some negative feedback about my story.  Some of it from strangers, some not.  Some of them were sent directly to me, some I stumbled upon myself, and some others told me about.  But in all cases, it hurt.

It made me question if I was brave enough to continue on.  It made me question if I was doing the right thing in sharing such a personal, still heart-wrenching-to-me story.

I had been thinking long and hard about it.  Last night, after reading her post, I realized I already knew the answer.

Yes.  I have done the right thing in sharing.  It isn't easy to get negative feedback.  And hopefully my skin will get thicker.  I do value all opinions, and welcome them.  I only ask that you use tact and grace when vocalizing them.

I could have taken the easy way out.  I could have decided to let these several instances affect me.  I could have opted to stop opening myself up, I could opt to stop letting myself be vulnerable by choosing not to share my story and my words.  I could.

But it's moments like yesterday, when I open my email and am moved to tears because of the multiple beautiful emails I receive telling me how much I have touched them and changed their lives.  It's moments when I log on and read the comments left for me that give me chills, thinking of how many others might still need to find hope again.

That is what this blog is about.  Sure, the premise is a weight loss blog.  But it's about so much more!  It's about finding hope again.  It's about finding strength when you feel it is gone.  It's about learning to love yourself, especially when you feel most unlovable.




20 comments:

  1. You never cease to amaze me love and I mean that from the bottom of my heart! I hope to be one of your biggest cheerleaders and maybe the showering of love that you receive will help make the negativety dull a bit. I still am floored that you get any. Love on you sweets! smooches xx
    Ang

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    1. Thank you so much for being in my corner, cheering me on Ang!

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  2. Beautiful post. I saw one of those negative comments regarding the voting and had to hold in my feelings to that person! You are amazing and an inspiration to many!

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    1. Kara, you are so kind. Thank you for your sweet words.

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  3. You're so amazing Alisha, you really do inspire me every day! Keep your head up, your story will help more people than you will probably ever know!

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    1. Karri! Your support has always meant so much. I appreciate your kind words of wisdom and support.

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  4. I am so thankful that you shared your story! you inspire me every day.

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  5. Incredible. It always makes me wonder what is going on in another person's life when they feel it is okay to be so negative towards other people. I feel bad for them. I know your story has changed and inspired me. I believe you did the right thing to share. You did the hard thing. You are wonderful!

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    1. Thank you Carrie! I can see now from the overwhelming love and support that I have made the right choice, even if it was the hard one. :)

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  6. AMAZING. You have COME SO FAR and done SO well, peers are the worst critics and also the best critics, the ruthlessness are not the ones we need to pay attention for!! You are doing fabulous and all of your readers are behind you 100%!

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    1. Thank you, so much! I appreciate you taking the time to share this with me. You are right, paying attention to the best critics is far more important!

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  7. I just read your story. Man girl! Keep on working hard you have come so far! Totally crying like a baby on the marathon part!

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    1. I still cry about the marathon...anytime I share that story! It was such a tender moment for me. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and thank you so much for your support!

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  8. I just read your story and want to hug you! What an amazing, inspiring story! I can't wait to read more of your blog!

    leangreenmama.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Danielle! I can feel your "hug". :) I appreciate your sweet comment so much...

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  9. Just read your story & many of your posts - what an amazing inspiration you are! So glad to have found your blog!

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    1. Oh, I'm so glad you feel that way! It means so much to hear about new people finding the blog and feeling a little inspiration. That is truly why I put myself out there...hoping others will realize they too can do hard things!

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  10. new to your blog, quite a inspiration and honest voice =)

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    1. Thank you Samantha! I try to keep it as honest and real as I can. It's not always easy to share that side of me...but I hope it can help others realize this is possible!

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