It’s been a while and it’s definitely time to get back in the rhythm of posting and sharing.

Over the course of the past 6 months I have learned a lot about connection.  Truthfully, I’ve learned a lot about disconnection.  Here’s how it works for me.  When life gets hard and I feel like I don’t have control, I have a tendency to go into survival mode, take care of business, and inevitably begin disconnecting.  It’s how I protect myself.

The only problem is that it’s a lie and it actually hurts me more.

One way it shows up is that I stop speaking my truth.  Do you ever struggle with speaking up to claim what’s true to you?

• You know, those times when someone is talking and you disagree or have a different opinion, but you choose to stay quiet or smile and nod in agreement.
• You feel strongly about a topic of conversation but choose not to enter because you don’t want people to misunderstand.
• Maybe you need to set a boundary for a child or within another relationship, but instead, you let things slide to keep the peace.

Can you relate?  Tell me I’m not alone, please!

The problem with living this way is that resentment and anger begin to build and we end up taking it out on the people we love.  It’s nearly impossible to connect with people when we aren’t being honest with them or ourselves.

And for most of us, underneath it all is fear.

The fear of being misunderstood, rejected, criticized, ignored, of not being enough, ever…the list goes on.  Fear can be huge!  Fear keeps us quiet and disconnected.  It’s kept me away from writing and sharing this space with you.

So what do we do about it?  First, we acknowledge it, and then we practice.  Today I’m choosing to practice, and I hope you’ll join me.

Think for a moment.

• What keeps you from connecting?
• Where do you want to push back?
• What space do you want to claim that will allow you have more meaningful relationships?

Choose something and share with me in the comments below.

I’m practicing by posting today and authentically sharing my heart.  I have created new resources for you, and I’m going to have to practice some trust to share them in the next few weeks.  They’ve been safely tucked away on my desktop for a while now–disconnected and safe.  Ugh!  Sure the idea of safety is true to some degree, but as these fabulous tools sit on my desk, they connect with no one and my heart is wrapped in fear.  That’s not what we’re after.

Let’s end with a piece of truth, that I hope will give us all some courage.

“In all of our mistakes and all our failings, we are beautiful and are worthy of connection and love.  We are just worth it.  It’s that simple.”

You can do this, whatever “this” looks like, I know you can do it.  And, you’re not alone as you practice.  I’m in it with you.  Be bold, follow your heart, and create a connection today.