Always Trying to be a Better Me
She’s Got a Story: Kimberly
“Resilient.”
That’s how she describes herself to me, and though I’ve known her for only a few minutes, I don’t doubt that is true. Over the past few years, Kimberly has faced issues with conceiving (along with the medical tests and personal struggles that triggers) and thyroid cancer. Here she stands, a gentle mother, a lovely soul, and a bright light. I nod at her choice.
“I think things come and go, the ups and downs. Not to say this in a cocky way, I’ve always found the positive. Even though I’m not going to lie, there have been times I’ve been in the ditch, in the valley, for a while. I actually go back to the Lord up above because there is no other reason than my faith. Faithful enough to return to God.”
“I didn’t really process it. I just had to move on. If I have surgery, I have to take time off from work and find childcare. Everything happened so fast. I had my surgery and then thyroid medication for the rest of my life. No one told me the process of finding the right dosage and hormones. My thyroid levels are pretty stable, so I am finally starting to feel like myself again.”
“It's been kind of a lot and felt like a whirlwind. She’s been the light that brightens up every situation when it feels kinda tough. I am thankful for my husband, who was the one who said go get checked out. Without him, I would still just be feeling off.”
And while her daughter, motherhood, health, and wellness are all gifts Kimberly is embracing in this season, it is her outlook that touches my heart. I see that as the real gift of the fires she’s come through. “I am in a place now in my life where I am just trying to be myself and surround myself with people, friends, who are authentic, genuine, and bring the best out of me. That’s been something that I have just always struggled with. After going through all of that, I can now focus on what really matters, before I didn’t. Now it’s her (pointing to her daughter), family, and people who make me feel good.”
Her changed outlook has not only helped shape her relationship priorities; it has helped her see the kind of person she wants to be and is striving to be for others. “If I can inspire someone or help someone by being who I am authentically, that’s kind of what drives me. Always trying to be a better me, to help other people.”
While writing this series, I have seen time and again how women inspire each other. Kimberly shared what drives her to be a better person. “I saw it in other people that helped me. I think that I could do that. If I could be that kind of person who helps other people by just by being a better me. You know how sometimes when you meet someone, and you just feel their energy and their glow. I wanted to be that for someone. I just saw people who were confident in their skin, and when you get to talk to them and know them more, you see they have been through some crap, but they still live their lives in bliss. That’s so inspiring to me.”
Kimberly talked about how we need more authenticity in the face of social media and how it skews our perceptions of others. “Because social media being so prevalent and just showing people’s highlights, you don’t really know who someone is until you actually spend time with them. I connect with people who are truly themselves without any type of filter. You don’t need to be anything for me to like you. You don’t need to be anything other than yourself. You, yourself, are just enough.”
You, yourself, are just enough. Don’t we all need more friendships with women secure enough to say that to themselves and us?
It is easy to see that what Kimberly values influences how she shows up in the world. Her authenticity and easy vibes instantly make her someone easy to talk to. I adored her within moments of meeting her. While we talked, she mentioned feeling like she shouldn’t tell her story (can I just tell you that nearly every woman I interview struggles with the same thoughts). And then she said, “Because every day kinda seems ordinary, but when you look at the big picture, it’s a great story. Everyone has one to tell.” And I smiled (both inwardly and outwardly). The truth is our everyday is often very ordinary and we tell ourselves that makes us unremarkable, but we are the extraordinary part. I love, love, love that some women have chosen to allow me to help shine a light on their extraordinary.
