I spent the last three days in a tiny suburb of Cleveland called Chagrin Falls. I’ll admit, it wasn’t at the top of my “places I want to visit” list. But apparently, this locale had plans for me that far exceeded my expectations.
As if the BodyTalk experience wasn’t enough, more was yet to follow.
I landed in Chagrin Falls for some particular training that certifies me to offer unique curriculum to women entrepreneurs. Surrounded by women entrepreneurs themselves, I was palpably aware of how easily I forget (or dismiss) that I am one as well; that what I do (and hope to do much more of) matters and makes sense.
At one point in time during the training we were required to gave our “elevator speech.” Whenever I do this, no matter the context, I can feel the waves of self-doubt, the nagging voice that tells me no one will really get what I’m talking about, that it’s all just a pipe dream – this hope and desire of mine. Regardless of all that went on in my brain, here are the words that came out of my mouth:
My name is Ronna Detrick and I am a teacher, coach, and writer with my own business called RENEGADEconversations. I get to have passionate and provocative conversations with women – both one on one and in groups, in-person and online, about faith, feminism, and what it means to tell the truth in both of those realms. Many women struggle to integrate these aspects of their lives and I love to think with them about ways in which they can do just that, become stronger and more courageous, and become RENEGADES themselves!
Even posting these words summons up the all-too-familiar, hyper-critical voice within. But, upon the advice of one far wiser than I in these realms, I am choosing to not unpack what that’s all about…at least for now. Instead I want to talk about what actually happened.
I heard stories.
To a person, each woman came to me at one point or another in our remaining time and told me of some aspect of her life related to her faith, religious upbringing, or lack thereof. To a person, none of them validated or defended their faith; rather just the opposite. To a person, they gave me scenes of harm, abuse, confusion, anger, disappointment, frustration – all in the context of their own personal experience or in the lives of people close to them. To a person, they asked me questions, mostly rhetorical, hardly surface, embedded in even more story.
I am silenced. I am stunned. I am deeply humbled and profoundly grateful. Apparently my elevator speech makes sense. Apparently my words articulate my heart. Apparently my desire is founded. Apparently I’m boldly and blatantly being given permission to stop doubting myself, to quit giving further weight to my insecurities, to let go of my fear and hesitancy, to just be who I am (and make money by doing so)!
Apparently if I say that I want to have RENEGADEconversations with women about faith, feminism, and telling the truth, there are women who want to have conversations with me.
And all of this in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
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