Hey there,

I'm Sharon, and I'm super grateful you're here to read my story; I'm glad to share it with you. I hope you find something in it that inspires you, makes you think, helps you reevaluate, or simply resonates with you. I like helping people, and I like telling my testimony. That's why this is here - because I believe one is founded on the other, and because I hope it helps someone - or maybe even more than one.

Oftentimes in my struggles I feel alone, not like I'm by myself - although that's usually the case - but more like I'm the only one in the experience, like I live my life in a vacuum and no one could possibly understand or relate to what I'm going through. I know that's not the case, but it feels that way. So I slink back; I isolate myself; I stop talking because I feel like no one will understand. Or worse, that they'll try to help.

In retrospect what I've found is that the more people I open up to and share with, the more that people are willing to open up to me and share with me. Those conversations lead me to believe two things: one, most people do understand when I give them a chance to. Two, I am stronger because I was willing to let go of my belief that I'm alone and connect with another person.

I have to be willing to exhibit the courage it takes to step out and allow another person to hear my story. I have to be willing to overcome my fear of being judged and criticized for the choices I've made and the life I've lived. And maybe that's where the feeling of strength comes from - it's a direct result of the courage it took and the victory I experience.

Even though I may not like what I'm going through at the time, the conversation always helps me. It helps me feel like I'm not alone and that I've been heard and understood. That's huge for me, and I know it's huge for a lot of other people too. So if my testimony helps you in that regard, then I'm glad I shared it. Because that's what it's meant to do. If you get something from it that wasn't intended then please share. You never know what might come of the experience for you.