Alright, maybe you noticed - or maybe you didn’t - that I took a semi-retirement and took almost a year between releasing episodes.
You can go back and listen to Episode 57 (my life update) where I share why I took a break, my health challenges, the recovery, and so much more.
One of the things I talked about in that episode is how heavy and exhausting I’ve found the state of the world these days.
It felt like I had so many questions, so many things I wanted to say and conversations I wanted to share but that I wasn’t able to. The fear I had of cancel culture, being ostracized, labelled, and judged was DEEP and so strong.
I found myself holding back the genuine concerns I had about the state of the world – from covid restrictions to the lack of dialogue that is welcomed to cancel culture itself — holding it all in was making me sick. It’s not an exaggeration to say I believe it was slowly aging and literally killing me holding it in. I was exhausted, and constantly run down with colds, and as I mention in the video, I heard from so many of you that you also had headaches and weren’t feeling well. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we’re holding in our thoughts, feelings, ideas and hearts, and by holding it in, it’s making us sick.
But I digress…
In December of 2021, I hit a point where it became MORE uncomfortable to go along and to hold it all in that it was to speak up, to potentially be ostracized, labelled, attacked, and perhaps even cancelled.
There came a point where I had to speak up about the current state of the world.
My friend, I believe we are in a pivotal moment in history: we are at a place where our broken systems and our cultural failings are at the forefront and it's super dang uncomfortable. Our culture has been toxic for a while and I think we’ve hit a point where it’s showing in so many aspects of life from “health care” to education, our financial and political systems, our media - all the way to our communities and the way we interact with each other, online and offline. I know I’m not the only one that sees this and feels this.
Today’s episode is a little different: it’s an extraction from an Instagram live I recorded a few months ago.
I’ve struggled a lot the last year especially, watching on the sidelines as I’ve been healing my health and focusing on myself, struggling with the division, with the name-calling, the double standards, the way we are TREATING each other as humans.
And frankly - struggling with how many of us are struggling and not thriving, myself included for a while. I’ve felt saddened by how many people I know are feeling isolated, facing anxiety, depression and more…. alone.
I think the fact that so many people feel so isolated, anxious, and depressed is a sign of our toxic culture. The fact we suffer alone is yet another example of how our desire for individuality has swung too far and left us without community and support from each other.
I cannot overstate HOW scared I was to record this, and to even speak up in the slightest, for fear of disappointing people, for fear of losing friendships, or making people mad.
As a recovering people pleaser, this is hard.
Most of what I share in this episode is not, in fact, controversial. Or at least, it’s my opinion that it shouldn’t be.
My invitation is for us to heal the divide and the fact that I’ve been scared to speak up about talking to people with different opinions– and I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE – is a sign of how FAR away from humanity, openness, and curiosity we’ve strayed from as a society and as a culture.
And it’s time to change that.
You will hear my voice quiver, because it is scary. This does not come naturally to me. This is me in real time expanding and stepping out of my comfort zone.
Being divisive is not me. I want to bring us together.
Please keep in mind as you’re listening that this was recorded live, and I always like to respond to comments as they come in live. I considered editing them out, but I think it’s helpful to hear some of the actual comments from others to know you’re not alone, and to also hear some of the perfectly valid questions/concerns that came up. If you prefer video and want to watch the live instead, there’s a link in the show notes.
If you’ve been struggling with HOW to start to heal the divide and how to reconnect with others, this is for you and these are my thoughts.
If you’ve been wondering how you can start to speak up on ANY topic that feels “divisive” and help to BE THE BRIDGE, I see you and we NEED YOU!
Thank you for listening - and thank you for taking these ideas and incorporating them into your life, your conversations and your community.
Here are the juicy bits you can look forward to:
What I’ve noticed about speaking out. (13:00)
Unlearning what we’ve been taught. (20:15)
The two things to consider when having hard conversations. (27:20)
My invitation to you. (31:30)
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Resources:
Live Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CYupaRAIoYm/
Goalden Girls Podcast Episode #57 - A Life Update: From Burnout and Breakdowns to Breakthroughs and Massive Growth: www.lisamichaud.com/podcast/57
Quotes to Share:
Download and share the quotes you loved on your social and inspire those around you:
“I am a people pleasing overachieving perfectionist, and speaking out has been really hard.” - Lisa Michaud
“Showing love, and showing compassion, that is actually some of the most life-giving and life-affirming experiences in the whole world.” - Lisa Michaud
“We need to unlearn our need to be right.” - Lisa Michaud
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Thank you so much for listening.
xo,
Lisa
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