Well well, hard to believe we’ve passed the half way mark, and what a remarkable first half we’ve had. Instead of recap on the events, I will consider the impact of such events upon myself.
I am different. The Washington Ireland Program made a bit of a big deal about selling yourself as different and unique, and if I’m honest I really struggled to consider myself this way. Why? Because I didn’t really see myself as all that different or unique compared to those around me. Most of my life I have been surrounded by like minded people and often I am accused of not living in the real world but in a world of candy floss, cotton wool and idealism. WIP has made me realise I, Heather Rachael McCormick, am a rare breed. I hold minority views, I’m sensitive, I find many things offensive to the ear, so much so that people have taken to warning me in advance or apologising after such “offences” occur. I’ve learnt that in all things I must be able to laugh, if not I know for a fact I would probably cry. I have felt accepted for who I am, knowing that I’m different from others, but none the less respected for what I believe.
I must listen. Having two ears and one mouth means one should listen twice as much as one should talk. Over the past few weeks I feel I’ve done a lot of listening. I have benefited from hearing others opinions and viewpoints on many different issues. I continue to form my thoughts and reserve comment on many things. I figure that it’s not always necessary to say something for the sake of it and there are times I get frustrated when it seems people just talk to fill the silence. I prefer talking in smaller numbers I think. Often I don’t feel appropriate articulating my opinions in a big group. But I feel that with listening to others articulate their opinions, it has helped me to better formulate my own and consider the best way of presenting what I believe.
I stand firm in what I believe in. I have a strong faith and follow a servant hearted leader named Jesus. I understand his ways are not everyone’s preference, but they are certainly mine. My faith gives me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control….but not all the time!!! These things don’t come from within me, I don’t have any of these things naturally, for me these things come from my relationship with Jesus, who is all these things. My prayers and the prayers of those I know have certainly carried me through the past month and I know I wouldn’t be who I am or have been able to achieve what I have without them. So in bon jovi’s words, I’m livin’ on a prayer… or several, as the case may be.
