As a finale to this season of conversations about women’s spirituality, in Episode 197 Susan and Cynthia revisit some ideas that stood out to them, discuss personal takeaways, and chat about what’s on each of their minds now.
Listening to today’s episode was so personal. I am very similar to Susan, in that I was not taught to stand up for what I feel is right or when I disagree with someone/something. I was taught that to be a good woman was to be silent. I too, am trying to find my voice. It is such a scary space to step into, but I cannot continue to be silent about the injustice I see around me. Being silent is not healthy physically as well as emotionally. Something has to change.
What is interesting is that the more I learn to speak up, the more concerned people around me become. They do not like that I have a voice or an opinion. They prefer the silent woman they are used to. Finding my voice has made everyone around me very uncomfortable and that breaks my heart.
Thank you for your podcast. It has helped me tremendously.
Thanks, Tonya! Always feels so healing for me to hear I'm not alone. Your comment reminds me of a Sue Monk Kidd quote C.A. Larson shared on an episode a few years ago, something about how when we rearrange our personal furniture (in this case, begin speaking up), the people around us will keep bumping into the furniture because they're used to the old layout. That feels very true to my experience; I don't know any cure for it except to let them smack their shins on me until they accept I'm not moving things back.
Your comment is so wise. I love that so much. I am trying to learn to be comfortable with others discomfort of me and whom I am becoming. Being a woman, especially in the church required me to shrink. It made me a people pleaser to a fault. I was taught that my worth will be given to me through a man’s acceptance of me. I sacrificed everything for this. At 49 I feel like my life is falling apart and I am slowly finding my voice and putting the pieces back together. Thank you for being a voice for so many of us introverts.
Listening to today’s episode was so personal. I am very similar to Susan, in that I was not taught to stand up for what I feel is right or when I disagree with someone/something. I was taught that to be a good woman was to be silent. I too, am trying to find my voice. It is such a scary space to step into, but I cannot continue to be silent about the injustice I see around me. Being silent is not healthy physically as well as emotionally. Something has to change.
What is interesting is that the more I learn to speak up, the more concerned people around me become. They do not like that I have a voice or an opinion. They prefer the silent woman they are used to. Finding my voice has made everyone around me very uncomfortable and that breaks my heart.
Thank you for your podcast. It has helped me tremendously.
Thanks, Tonya! Always feels so healing for me to hear I'm not alone. Your comment reminds me of a Sue Monk Kidd quote C.A. Larson shared on an episode a few years ago, something about how when we rearrange our personal furniture (in this case, begin speaking up), the people around us will keep bumping into the furniture because they're used to the old layout. That feels very true to my experience; I don't know any cure for it except to let them smack their shins on me until they accept I'm not moving things back.
Your comment is so wise. I love that so much. I am trying to learn to be comfortable with others discomfort of me and whom I am becoming. Being a woman, especially in the church required me to shrink. It made me a people pleaser to a fault. I was taught that my worth will be given to me through a man’s acceptance of me. I sacrificed everything for this. At 49 I feel like my life is falling apart and I am slowly finding my voice and putting the pieces back together. Thank you for being a voice for so many of us introverts.