Who I Am

I encountered Jesus Christ at 5 years old, down the block from my house at a vacation bible school run by a retired nun who lived in my neighborhood. I was propelled instantly into a lifelong love affair with Jesus that led me to voluntarily chain myself to Christianity in a way that can only be described as Stockholm Syndrome. Several years (and several sexual assaults) later, I shaved my head and chucked it all. 

 

That was 15 years ago. I have since completed a bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Women Gender and Sexuality studies from UNC Asheville and I am pursuing my Master of Divinity at Iliff University in Colorado. 

 

I've had a LOT of therapy.

 

I've learned to balance my love for Jesus with my progressive, liberal ideology. I love people, and I'm saddened by the way our fear, anxiety, self loathing and trauma rob us of deep relationship with each other. 

 

I'm passionate about the use of Non-Violent Communication for conflict resolution, and how the concept of "empathetic listening" allows us to sit with one another in ways that lead to true connection.  

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Mostly though, I'm into Matthew 22:37 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself". And, as RuPaul says, "If you can't love yourself, how the hell you're going to love somebody else?"

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I'm on a journey to learn how to love myself. If I'm lucky, really, really lucky, I'll get to help other people learn how to love themselves too.