#Happy2024 Transformative Connections
There's a quote from Tyler Perry that has found its home on the wall of my office, nestled among other yellow sticky notes that serve as constant reminders on my journey of calling and purpose. It reads, “All people want is to be seen and heard.” This quote has taken on a profound meaning for me, a significance that unfolded during my transformative weekend in Jacksonville, Florida.
Spending those days with one of my closest friends, exploring new dimensions of our friendship, and witnessing the incredible response from the women in Jacksonville’s Transformation Collaborative breathed life into Perry’s words. It was a moment where the yearning for community met the comfort that comes from its discovery. Finding those rare connections, both common and uncommon, fulfills our deep-seated human need for reciprocity. We truly see and hear each other, propelling us into transformative relationships and personal transformations.
Throughout this month, I've hosted transformation circle meetups in Orlando, Atlanta, and now Jacksonville. Something about 2024 has sparked a collective thirst for community. Women are showing up with an eagerness to connect, to be seen and heard. The exhaustion of virtual interactions in front of screens has pushed us to seek more authentic connections, moving beyond the confines of Zoom calls and scrolling timelines.
As an introvert, pushing myself into the spotlight to create this space for others has been challenging, yet the fulfillment that comes from witnessing women ready to be seen and heard, and to see and hear each other, is beyond anything I've experienced. I’m experiencing a joy and fulfillment that is new and coveted.
We've grown weary of the inauthentic facade of "friendship" fostered by Facebook and Instagram. There's a collective eagerness to experience each other in real-time, face-to-face, pushing past the comfort zones behind our screens. We're evolving into beautifully flawed communities of women, focusing on our sameness rather than our differences – a vision that feels divinely ordained.
The struggles of donning real clothes, getting into the car, and driving to a cafe are real, especially when the comfort of home is so inviting. The fear of judgment can steal the confidence to engage socially in real time. Yet, women from diverse backgrounds, races, and cultures are taking the risk of attending these meetups – virtually and in person. Writing this, I'm witnessing the revival of sisterhood in the name of transformation.
After becoming accustomed to isolating at home, women are now yearning for the benefits of community – shared wisdom, emotional support, the exchange of ideas among like-minded individuals, and the enhanced perspective gained from seeing life through the eyes of others.
The excitement grows as my efforts continue to expand this concept into other cities and communities. Women are reclaiming their values, dreams, and motivations, striving to be their best and true selves. Listening to their stories, I find peace in the realization that, despite our unique experiences, we share a common need to be seen and heard. I am no longer alone in this world.
If only we could apply the power of this quote across all aspects of our lives, interactions, relationships, and social structures. What a different world we would live in. Beyond the "What’s In It For Me" reality of humanity, remember that as we pursue our needs, the person before us also seeks benefits and fulfillment. Reciprocity makes the world go round.
Imagine the transformative impact on all your relationships if you adopted this quote as a truth in your everyday life. Just a thought, and a way to make your 2024 even better.
Feel free to share your thoughts, and if you’re eager to find your tribe, village, or community of transformation, come join us in Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, or on Facebook. With your support, we can create transformation circles of women like us across the country and the globe.
