Wednesday, May 19, 2010

what i learned at brave girls camp

Like I said before, I have been to Brave Girls Camp 3 times so far, and plan to go to as many more as I possibly can.  If I told you what I do at Brave Girls, you might not think it makes sense to want to go.  I mean, I basically spend 12 hours a day for 5 days as one of the staff - caring for, cleaning for and cooking for 35 women.  On the outside, it sounds a little like I'm getting the short end of the stick.  BUT Brave Girls Camp is something incredible.  Being one of the ones to care for and nurture those women is a privilege to me - something I'd never give up.  It's amazing to see how their perspectives change...how they see themselves differently when they leave than when they come....how different we all are, but at the same time how we are SO the same.

Before I go on, let me say I am not a man-hater.  I think men are incredible creatures...I learn more about that from my husband all the time.  BUT since we are talking about women...since Brave Girls is about women, I will say here that I think women are incredible people.  Capable of SO much good...so much love.. so much godliness and grace.  My very favorite part of Brave Girls Camp (and I can't say I won't say another part was my favorite later...I have LOTS of favorite parts), but right now the one that's on my mind is that I learn something HUGE from each person I meet at BGC.  Everyone gives their best and because of that we all take SO much home...so much that it lasts forever and ever and keeps going in my heart for a long time.  Here's what I learned this time...

{Every prayer is heard and answered}


{Sometimes you have to go a long LONG way to find truth...but if you don't stop looking you'll find it}

 
{Happy faces live on happy people and it shows}


{Sometimes our worst enemies...the ones that tear us down the most...are in our heads.  It is OUR CHOICE to let them tell us how we should be or kick them out}


{Sometimes we have to be brave by just holding on}


{It only takes a few words to make big points and touch hearts}


{Sometimes the strongest, kindest and most powerful are also the quietest}


{Some heartaches never go away...they just don't...we can choose to let it bring us down or build us up.  Building is HARD, but beautiful things come when we choose to let them}


{We ought to stick together...support each other...help each other heal...help each other fly}


{If you want to sing out, sing out!}


{People have the power to make anything out of their lives.  Some of the most beautiful lives come from unexpected beginnings}


{Dreams are precious things and should be fought for...things don't always (okay hardly ever) happen just how we want them to, but ALWAYS how they are supposed to}


{Try new things...even things that seem hard at first or uncomfortable....you don't have to be a 'musician' to sing, don't have to be a 'dancer' to shake it, and most importantly you don't have to be an 'artist' to play with paint}


{Smiles, encouragement and love go a long LONG way...even from strangers}


{Goodness is easy to see in a person's eyes...}


{There's no such thing as 'too sweet'}


{Sometimes friends just need a hand to hold...the best kind of friends are always ready for that}


{The world needs authenticity...no facades...just real, genuine us.  We need it too.}


{All it takes to have incredible friends, is to be an incredible friend}


{Love and service re the keys to a long and happy life}


{Some days it's hard to just put one foot in front of the other...but if we keep trying...keep going....someday we'll look back and see the miles we've come}


{It's okay to be 'closed' for a while...to take time to figure things out...to ponder.  The people who really care are happiest to see you take time for yourself}


{Forgiveness...the REAL kind of forgiveness brings profound peace...leads to deep joy, light hearts, sparkly eyes, and power for good}


{Love is the greatest gift we can give each other...we bless ourselves and everyone around us when we give it freely}


{It's okay if what you want to do with your life isn't what everyone else wants to do with theirs...keep going on your very own path and LOVE IT}


{Happiness is a choice}


{Even incredible people are rarely what they seem to be on the outside...dig deeper for the real treasure}


{We are all just fun-loving, free-spirited little girls in big girl bodies}


{We all want to be understood...nothing is more precious than a listening ear and an understanding heart}


{There's no such thing as 'too happy'}


Love you, Brave Girls!!  Thank you for these and ALL the other lessons you taught me this week - I will never ever forget you! xoxo

13 comments:

Kim Rose said...

Love this post!!!! Simply love it! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! You are an amazing woman! I will keep reading your blog. :)

Jen Hargraves said...

Kallie~ I love you!!!!

Anonymous said...

This post seriously made me bawl..ya know the UGLY cry! Thank you so much taking the time to journal this. I Love it! You are my Sunshine!
xoxoxo

free2be said...

This is just so beautiful. I love the way you have shown that we all always have something to learn from each other - and that that is sometimes the greatest lesson of this world. No one is disposable and we are all worthy of love and understanding. Beautifully done. Thanks for being so full of thought.
:) cheryl

Lisa said...

Kallie - you are such a beautiful person. I learned so much from all of you and cherish the time I got to spend at BCG. Thank you so much for your kindness, your nurturing spirit and your incredible selfless love. Can't wait until I can experience BCG again!
With lots of love - Lisa

Camille said...

Yay! Love it Kallie!

cortney said...

Wow--all this love comin' at us from the RV!! xxoo

Unknown said...

I am crying... miss you girls so much, I know now that I met you all at just the right time... I really needed this at exactly this moment in life... thank you for sharing this Kallie ♥

Elena Lai Etcheverry said...

Kallie!! Geez! you are just beyond amazing. I am soooo lucky to have you in my life and I can't wait to see you in July. I will never stop being a brave girl and it is because of friends like you that I can.

hugs miss you so much!

Unknown said...

This is so beautiful, thank you for all you did and shared xoxo, Maureen

Lorraine Bell said...

Oh Kallie - my eyes are welling up with tears and I have a lump in my throat. It's amazing, but every day since I've left Brave Girls' somehow, one of my "sisters" has reached out in some way to touch my heart! Thank you Kallie - today it was YOU! Sending love your way . . .
~ Lorraine

Just call me Silly Sal said...

Love your blog Kallie. You said it all! Can't say enough how wonderful you and your family and friends are that took such good (scratch that) GREAT care of us and made us feel like part of YOUR family. Thank you again and again.
hugs, Silly Sal

VERONICA KRUCHTEN said...

Kallie - can you believe that I just saw t your blog and I cannot tell you how much this post touched my heart and brought me back to that place that feels so warm and loving. I needed to be reminded of that place today and thank you for taking the time to put this blog together.

I am hoping that you, Jackson and Jeff are doing well and I am so thankful for all of you!

Many Blessings!
Veronica

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