Our Fearful Freedom Lights up This World

Summary

The undefined website content reflects on the bravery and growth of the Know Thyself Heal Thyself (KTHT) community, emphasizing how members overcome fear to support each other and share their diverse perspectives, contributing to the collective illumination of their world.

Abstract

The author of the undefined website content reflects on the concept of bravery in the context of the KTHT community, a diverse group of individuals from five continents who have come together to grow spiritually and heal. Despite the fear of not being accepted, understood, or ready to contribute, members have shown remarkable courage by sharing their vulnerabilities, traumas, and insights. The community's light, which varies from faint embers to bright flames, has grown collectively stronger through mutual support and the sharing of experiences. The diversity in age, language, education, and beliefs within the community has enriched its members, fostering an environment where differences are celebrated, and commonalities are cherished. The author acknowledges personal growth and the inspiration drawn from the bravery of others in facing their demons, such as depression and anxiety. The act of contributing, whether through posting, highlighting, or responding, is seen as an act of courage that not only lights up the KTHT world but also extends to brighten the broader world.

Opinions

The author believes that true bravery lies in forging ahead despite being afraid, as highlighted by a quote from Robert Liparulo.
The creation of the KTHT space by Diana is recognized as a significant initiative that has attracted a substantial following and contributor base.
The author admires the courage of non-native English speakers who post articles in English, acknowledging the challenge it presents.
There is an appreciation for the diversity within the community, which includes a wide range of ages, educational backgrounds, and beliefs, and is seen as a source of strength and learning.
The author expresses personal growth as a result of the community's collective wisdom and shares a fear of not being positively received or understood when responding to posts.
The author values the open-mindedness required to absorb diverse perspectives and finds inspiration in the vulnerabilities and scars shared by others, which provide comfort and a sense of companionship on the path to healing and growth.
The author extends gratitude to the community members for their bravery in sharing and for the positive impact they have on each other's lives and the world at large.

Our Fearful Freedom Lights up This World

I looked at the prompt and thought about the things I have done in my life that were fearless. I thought about my teaching career and the lights I sparked in my students. Then I decided it was much more important to talk about how much braver it is to do things when you are fearful.

“Bravery is not the absence of fear but the forging ahead despite being afraid” ~ Robert Liparulo.

I am referring to our little community here at Know Thyself Heal Thyself (KTHT). After Diana created this space, it has attracted over 450 followers and now there are almost 100 contributors. I think all of us joined because we wished to grow spiritually. I think all of us joined because we needed to heal. Some joined because they were further along the path and wished to shine their light for others to be able to see the trail markers.

The light that we brought with us varied from barely an ember, to others that I can see the brightness of the light they admit and feel the warmth. I know my light has grown in brightness because of what I have learned from all of you. I can see the light grow brighter over time and articles posted by many of you. Some of us have demons of depression and anxiety. I have that shadow as part of me. I know that many share their vulnerabilities, their traumas, their needs and their desires.

We are a very diverse community. We have contributors from at least five continents! For many of our contributors, our founder included, English is not their native language. I can’t imagine myself being brave enough to post an article in a language other than my native one. Of course, being a mathematics teacher by training, some of you may think English is not my native language *smile*.

We vary in age, I think, from teenagers to retirees. We vary in educational and professional backgrounds. We vary in beliefs. I think this diversity as made us stronger and better people. I think this has helped all of us see it is okay to be different. The one common thing that I see here is that we support each other.

People joined being fearful of being accepted. People joined fearful of being able to grow. People joined fearful of being ready to post. People joined fearful of being able to find their voice at all. It takes courage when fearful to submit your first post. It takes courage when fearful to highlight a post. It takes courage when fearful to respond to a post. I respond very often to posts. I am still fearful that my response will not be seen as positive or show that I did not understand what the author meant.

I do not understand everything that is written. I keep an open mind when I read. I try to absorb things that will help me grow. I sift through the information and see what works for me. I look for things that can help me work on traumas and areas of my life that can be strengthened. I look for things that will help my light burn brighter. I am always amazed at the bravery I see to share the things that people do. I want you to know that it helps to know others have vulnerabilities. It helps to know that others have scars. It makes me feel not alone on the path.

Every single member here lights up the world of Know Thyself. Our world shines bright because of you. I think also that light spreads out to every corner of the world where a member of Know Thyself lives. The world is a brighter place because of you. You make a difference in our lives. You make a difference in the people you touch in your part of the world. Thank you for being brave though fearful. Thank you for lighting the world.