We had a beautiful time on today's Masterclass. Here is a link if you'd like to watch the replay. There was even an unplanned moment of vulnerability I was faced with right on the call. It was pretty epic (and uncomfortable) lol https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/sLCxUCnMDMo4krnNr5DJoYUwDMzYcXmvIwsPAyKQbNIYJyMKd19ExjjJAFzx-lE.zPG1pPQ-NnOSRZFF

On Monday Feb 16 at 3pm EST I'll be hosting a free master class all around authentic living and my courageous communication model. This model is a nervous system informed communication sequence that supports regulation, reflection, listening and authentic speaking to guide individuals to move beyond approval seeking and communicate with self honouring clarity, relational attunement, and courageous vulnerability. I'd love to see you there. Here is a link to join https://melissamaher.as.me/?template=class

Want real intimacy? Learn to be vulnerable... Its a super power! To wage your own comfort to be fully accepted and seen To speak your fears, desires, longings No masks, no titles, no filters Just a raw, open heart, willing to risk it all It is bold. It is cathartic. It moves mountains. Trust me, I know it's not easy. It wasn't always this way for me... I used to silence myself. I'd shrink to fit in. I'd be a "good girl" and keep the peace. My throat would literally ache when I was suppressing my truth. It felt like it couldn't breathe. Now when that feeling happens, I know I need to speak up. Say what needs to be said. Ask for what I need. Dare to be witnessed in my emotional mess. It's not easy. It took me years to develop the skills. But I'll tell you this, vulnerability and transparency will deepen your connection and intimacy with the person you share it with... If they can receive you in it... And that in itself is a whole other conversation for another post 😉 Start small, with someone you trust. Begin with one share. Speak out loud how uncomfortable or difficult it is. Let your truth come forward. Breathe before speaking. Drop into your heart. Speak from there. The more you do it, the more you'll want to do it all the time. It's still uncomfortable every time for me, but the aftermath... Oh it's so beautiful once you've shared. If you want to start with me, feel free to DM me something you've only ever thought about inside and wouldn't dare to say out loud. I'll hold space for your vulnerability and keep whatever you share safe within my heart.

If these were doors you could walk through today, which one are you choosing? 🚪 Door A: “I trust myself even when I don’t feel ready.” 🚪 Door B: “I stop abandoning myself to keep the peace.” 🚪 Door C: “I allow myself to go slower than expected.” Drop the door number + two or three words why. I'll go first... Door A - because I'm growing

I can tell you all the ways to love yourself... Make you a nice list to follow and but it's not until you're face to face with your past patterns, thinking, or behaviors is when the work really begins. I recently had an experience that showed me the subtle ways I self abandoned myself. Little things that felt like choices I was consciously making but were really old patterns of seeking love outside of myself or compromising myself in ways I thought I'd be ok in. It was a gentle grief that moved through me as I sat with myself, my inner child, and God. There was no shame this time though. Just awareness, compassion, and grace. Loving myself has been my greatest life's work. Love and worth had always been tied to something outside of me. Some achievement, someone, or something. I'm in a new space. A space I've never been before. It feels tender and yet also familiar. My Soul remembers. God has been redirecting me. I'm just showing up and moving in love and grace.