From Commune Days to Community: On Courage, Sacrifice, and Doing Hard Things

Today, an "on this day" post came up in my newsfeed and reminded me that a lot of life has happened in that time. I felt a little nostalgic and a little inspired, so here are some words that needed out of my brain and onto the page. Hopefully it will remind you that we can do hard things, that nothing good comes without some sacrifice, and everything is better in community.

Three years ago, we lost the house. Through no fault of our own - property values were increasing, we had lived there with my second husband (who was the lease holder) for nearly 8 years, we were month-to-month. Times changed and we were given thirty days to find a new place to live.

I had just quit all of my jobs except for the work I was doing at BIG Studio. I had stepped out onto the invisible bridge - and it turned out that there was a strong wind called "housing issues" and "proof of income" - and by the grace of God - and my good friends, Nicci and Chris - we found a solution to the temporary housing crisis. We chose to have what we now lovingly call "Commune Days." My family of 3 moved in with their family of 6 and we were a regular Brady Bunch for a little while there. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Absolutely. So often the things that you go through that challenge you the most are the ones that remind you how sweet it is to have made it this far on the journey.

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It takes a lot of courage to follow what your heart is calling you to do. And it also takes a lot of sacrifice - by you, by those you love, and those that love you.

This experience feels like both yesterday and a thousand years ago. So much life has happened in this time. But one thing that has stayed the same is my belief in the work that happens at BIG, Inc - Boldly Inspiring Greatness. I believe in building brave and supportive communities. I believe each of us has a responsibility to one another to be that community. And I'm grateful for those who have been that community for me.

Luckily, we are not in commune days anymore - but we ARE in community. Community gets to look more like singing and dancing these days than just praying to have somewhere to live - and I'm grateful for the people who supported me, my family, this dream, and this place through all of the hard stuff. I'm sure there will be more hard things - but we know we can do hard things! Especially when we have each other and our tap shoes.