Good Girl Chronicles in This is My Brave Show

Good Girl Chronicles to Participate in This is My Brave: Arlington

I remember exactly where I was when I first heard of ‘This is My Brave’. I was driving on a narrow Richmond road, making my way to Lynchburg, Virginia. The sky had a grew hue to it, covered with so many clouds the sun couldn’t break through. I was frustrated.

“They just don’t understand Ivory. They don’t get it. Blogging about my suicide attempt is freeing me,” I said. I was on the phone with my old TV reporter friend Ivory. She had recently read a blog I wrote about the suicide attempt that ruined my life and any chances of a big time journalism career. My parents had read it also and we were not as accepting as so many of my friends had been. I wrote a blog about my life after my suicide attempt. The attempt would force me leave my tv job at a number one rated station and fall into the deepest, darkness depressive episode I’ve ever experienced. 

“You know I had no idea you were struggling with all of that. Talking about it helps. I wish my brother did,” Ivory replied. “There’s this organization up here in Northern Virginia called This is My Brave and people actually get on stage and talk about mental illness. It’s really powerful. I wish my brother would go,” she said her voice drifting off.

 I couldn’t believe what she was saying.

People actually talk about what I’m going through in front of a live audience? Why would they do that? Aren’t they scared?

After my talk with Ivory I made a mental note to check out This is My Brave. I watched this video clip first. 

This is My Brave is a non-profit that gives people with mental illness a platform to share their stories online, and onstage. I later learned that the co-Founder Jennifer Marshall started This is My Brave after writing a blog about living with bipolar disorder. The blog went viral and Jen realized so many people living with mental illness wanted and needed a platform to speak their truths.

Earlier this year I submitted a blog to ‘This is My Brave’ called the Road to Acceptance. Click on this link to read it: https://thisismybrave.org/blog/the-road-to-acceptance

 I also had the opportunity to see a This is My Brave show in Arlington, Virginia. It was everything I imagined This is My Brave would be. I got to meet Jennifer Marshall and had a full on fan girl moment. And, for the evening I witnesses so many brave souls speak about the peaks, and valleys; highs and lows of living with mental health. Sometimes it was funny, sad, and emotional. I remember looking in the audience and seeing so many people nod their heads in agreement. It was another reminder that we are not in this battle of mental illness. The audience was filled with family members, and people with similar struggles. I felt safe, whole, and more brave than ever to keep sharing my story.

This Sunday I have the amazing opportunity to step on the This is My Brave stage and speak my truth. It’s interesting how my journey with This is My Brave has come full circle like this. One of This is My Brave’s mottos is storytelling saves lives. I know that as a speaker, blogger, advocate. 

Sharing my story has freed me of so much shame, guilt, and pain of living with a mental illness. And,  I will share a story on how I went from acceptance, to advocacy. I love what Jennifer Marshall says, "One day it won't be called brave to talk about mental illness, it will be called normal."

In order for that to happen we need storytellers to keep speaking their truth. I plan to do my part.

If you’d like to hear me and the other cast mates there’s still time to get tickets: https://app.mobilecause.com/form/Rao--w

New Purpose, Sowing A Seed of Hope in Others

I believe a big reason a lot of people do not get involved is that they don’t think their help matters. They feel small in comparison to the world’s problems; things like homelessness, poverty, addiction, human trafficking. Those are huge worldly problems.

I’m learning now that even the smallest seed can bring the biggest harvest in someone's life. Meaning even the smallest act of service, kindness, or compassion can go a long way.

We’re all like gardens awaiting harvest. When people sow greatness in us with their time, love, and support we reap eventually a harvest of greatness. 

My hope is to sow greatness, hope, love, and support to as many people as I can. That is why no matter what God brings of my business Good Girl Chronicles I want to invest, sow, donate, and support other people and non-profits. I’ve benefited greatly from the generosity of others. Last year when I was homeless I stayed in an emergency winter shelter supported by the non-profit The Abba List. I received food from countless church food pantries. I received free clothes, and gas cards, bus passes. And, on those late nights in the shelter I saw God’s love through His children. People volunteered their time to be night monitors at the shelter. I watched them bring their own homemade food for our dinners and served us as guests. Now whatever I do I want to sow a seed in others through donations from my events and in the future book sales.

This next few weeks there are a lot of ways you can help me sow a seed in others.

You can buy one of my ‘Storytelling TShirts for a limited time only. A portion of proceeds from these T-shirt sales will go to a non-profit I adore called This is My Brave. This non-profits gives a platform to storytellers with mental illness. Learn more at www.thisismybrave.org

You can buy my t-shirts at Bonfire : https://www.bonfire.com/good-girl-chronicles-storytelling-fund/ 

This is My Brave Show: October 21, 2018 I’ll be sharing my story of living with depression and anxiety at the This is My Brave Show in Arlington, VA at Gunstone One Theater. You help me raise money for this non-profit with a donation.

Tickets: https://thisismybrave.org/events/timb-the-show-arlington

Good Girl Chronicles GIVE THANKS Paint Night : I’m hosting a paint night to support a local women’s shelter in Chesapeake, VA called Burfoot House. This is shelter helps women get job skills, support, and resources to live independtly again. 

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/give-thanks-tickets-51266996968

Good Girl Chronicles Storytelling Night, November 16, 2018 : Fall Edition: I’m hosting a storytelling night featuring a list of speakers in Norfolk, VA. I believe storytelling sets you free and I want to create a platform for speakers to own their truth. This event is donation only. A portion of proceeds will go the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/good-girl-chronicles-storytelling-night-fall-edition-tickets-51320063692

Throwback Blog About Friendship: The Girls

The Girls

“I’ve always wanted four girlfriends to chat with like on Sex & the City, says Lila, and I realized I have you all.” Lila raises her margarita glass in honor of her closet female friends. 

The show Sex & the City has changed the way women view themselves. The show empowered women through their sexuality and tight friendships, shot off sexual double standards, and gave women across the nation the power to control their own sexual destinies. The most intricate part of the show is the role of friendship in each character’s life. Four 30-something women grapple with men and relationships in the heart of New York City. When love had knocked the women off their stylish Manolo Blahniks, their strong friendships gave them the strength to try again. As a viewer of the show, it was entertaining to watch but, my mind couldn’t grasp the magnitude of thirty-something women finding peace and comfort in each other. But one night with a group of females that simply call themselves ” The Girls” and I understood all too clearly the power of good conversation over cosmos and pancakes.

                Tonight the girls are talking about everything from men, movies, good food, love, and of course sex. Each woman brings something completely different and insightful to the conversation.

Kat, the sweet, mature beyond her years, female speaks of changes in her love life. She is welcomed by the comfort of her supportive friends who assure her confidence in love.

Kristen, the informed, undecided psychologist, analyzes the romantic lives of “The Girls.” Even with all her knowledge of sex and psychology even she’s nervous to take the first move with her new beau.

Christina is the host for the night and provider of life experience. She teaches the younger girls about men and blending good drinks with just the right amount of Sky Vodka.

Alyssa, the intellectual scholar of the group, keeps everyone informed about foreign affairs, but is just as clueless as the rest when it comes to the complex mind of men.   

Lila, the honest but gentle friend, has a life story full of comedic turns for every situation you can imagine. Her ability to make you laugh at almost anything puts a positive light on even the toughest of subjects.

 I, the newcomer with nervousness that’s hard to hide, observe “The Girls” blend margaritas.

My nervousness overwhelmed my usually bubbly personality. I wasn’t sure of my place in this all ready complete sisterhood. As the night waned on laughter filled the room so many times my nervousness had no place to fit. “The Girls” listened attentively about my insecurities with love, life, sex, men, everything. I felt as though I was singing my life story of insecurity and mishaps in love, to an audience of supportive fans. Instead of judging me, “The Girls” gave me a mirror to which I could see myself clearly, a reflection that surprisingly seemed everything but weird. I felt so secure and normal in all my worries and insecurities.

After a few pancakes, a vanilla coke, and shared work stories, I left the dinner feeling revived, energized, and accepted. Finally, I understood the warmth of sisterhood.

Now when I watch reruns of Sex & the City my heart will smile in remembrance of the night with “The Girls.” I understand how four women can find soul mates in each other, the therapy of a girl’s nights, and the relaxation of a cosmopolitan. Sex & the City did more than teach women about their sexuality, how to own it and control it, the women of New York taught all of us how to gain strength in each other again.  Alyssa, Kristen, Kat, Lila and Christina showed me that when everything was wrong your girls could make it right. I will never forget them for that.