When we experience difficult times in our lives, it’s gratifying to know something about our adversity goes on to help others. That’s what I’m hearing from the listeners of an amazing podcast I did. My story, told in my own voice, is the opener for Season 15 of the popular This is Actually Happening, and I’m hearing from women, and men, who tell me they were inspired by my story.
“We’re stronger than we can possibly imagine, and we need to tap into that with every fiber of our being.”
If you’ve never listened to the incredible This is Actually Happening podcast on the Wondery Network, it features true life stories, told by the actual people who lived them, and there’s nothing more powerful than hearing it from the person themself. The process of recording my story happened over the course of several days and took at least six or seven hours to record. My voice is the only one you’ll hear, but podcast creator, producer, and host, Whit Missildine, and his production team, took all of that audio and pieced it together into a podcast that’s only an hour in length.
“Part of surviving is making sure we fight to keep ourselves from becoming another victim.”
I just received an email from Whit Missildine, telling me that even though the episode has only been online for three days, it “has been widely beloved by listeners, and the response has been amazing… Your deep wisdom is incredibly inspiring, especially at a time when we are all being challenged to find our own voice in the face of an uncertain world.”
For a story I kept secret from everyone except a handful of people who were there at the time, my book, MAYA BLUE A Memoir of Survival, and now, the This is Actually Happening podcast continues to reinforce that I did the right thing by sharing it and making it public.
“Survivorship often means being terrified, absolutely terrified, as you force yourself to take the next step. It may be a step that’s so far outside your comfort zone that you can’t imagine doing it. Like one moment the window is closed and the next, you’ve jumped, hoping the tree outside will break your fall. But there’s no guarantee, but you do it anyway because it’s better than the alternative. Sometimes that is survivorship.”
Many times, the unexpected strength within us doesn’t rise to the surface until we’re confronted with a life-threatening situation, or we need to step up and help someone we love, or even a stranger. But when it’s behind us, we realize we did something we didn’t think we could do, and it’s okay to tell ourselves, I did that. I Did That! And when that happens, we should be proud of ourselves because regardless of how difficult it was, we’re stronger for having done it.
I hope you’ll listen to my story. It’s episode #375, on the This is Actually Happening podcast. Scroll down the page, and it’s the first story listed: “What if you had to fight your way out of the jungle?”
I hope my story helps you realize you can survive almost anything.
15 thoughts on “THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING”
Your story and your life is absolutely inspiring!! My life caring for my special needs son is confined within the walls of my home and hospital hallways at times so your story is beyond inspiring. I’m so proud to call you my friend and so thankful you survived all that you did to be able to tell your story. Love you my friend!!
Thank you, Tammy, but I think we will always disagree about this. In my opinion, YOU are the one who’s inspiring. I can’t imagine the pain and tragedy of giving birth to a healthy son, who, as a result of having multiple vaccines when he was four months old, caused irreversible brain damage, but you’ve never complained. He’s 27 now, and you continue to step up and advocate for him and talk to anyone who will listen and can help you keep him alive. You’ve given up your life for your precious son, so, my sweet friend… YOU are the inspiring one, and I bow to you everytime I think of what you deal with day in and day out. Sending you my love and admiration, Brenda
Can’t wait to listen to this Brenda!
Thank you, Connie. I hope you do listen. xoxox, Brenda
How you held that ALL IN FOR SO MANY YEARS IS BEYOND ME!
KUDO’s to YOU for writing it all down and now talking about it on a podcast.
I think you will give many strength just by listening to what YOU OVER CAME!
Thrilled you are having this success!
XOXo
Thank you, Elizabeth, but when you’re trying to protect the reputation of someone you love and when you’re afraid of the retaliation of corporations with the morals of the mafia, as well as a vengeful foreign army, it’s easy to keep your mouth shut. A few weeks before my book was published, I woke up in the middle of the night and said, “What have I done?” Forty years later, I still had fears, but it was too late. xoxox, Brenda
I’m happy your book has been so well received and excited to hear this in your own voice Brenda. Now… where’s the movie version? Seriously. I want the Maya Blue movie. Xo, Barb
Thank you, Barb! I appreciate your well wishes. We’ll see what the future holds for me and Maya Blue. xoxox, Brenda
Hi Brenda,
You are a “rock star” to do this audio. I did listen to it last night. CONGRATULATIONS over and over again. To relive this whole saga in your life had to be very hard.
You have/had so much courage in your entire life. To come out whole and be up and positive speaks volumes who you are.
I appreciate your comment, Katherine. Sometimes I’m amazed that I’m still here, and as well adjusted as I am because life has handed me some whoppers, but then I think that can apply to most of us. Thank you. xoxox, Brenda
Brenda,
I’ve read your blog posts for a number of years, but have never commented. I listened to your podcast and am in awe of your strength. I have always been an anxious and fearful person and it seems to be increasing as I age – I will soon be 71 next month in October. I pray almost daily for God to deliver me of my fear and anxiety. I gave my life to Him when I was a very young child and have strived to follow Him all my life, and know I can trust Him to carry me through any difficulty. I can testify that He has done just that many times in my journey with Him. I thank you for your words encouraging me that I am stronger than I believe. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you, and I pray God’s blessings on you.
Thank you so much, Marcie, for leaving me a note after all these years. I’m touched and grateful. I don’t like to hear that you’re filled with so much fear and anxiety. It must limit your decisions and how you live, and when we’re afraid, we don’t live our best lives. That’s tragic! Life has so many wonderous things for us to experience and discover, and we meet such interesting and kind people along the way. Do we have problems, and do we meet jerks? Yes, of course, but we can’t live in the shadows because we’re afraid of “what if.”
The next time you’re afraid and anxious, try asking yourself “what’s the worst thing that can happen if I do this or say that.” If it’s something like “I’ll be late for dinner,” and you can live with “that,” then by all means, go ahead and do it. Time is running out for all of us. Go do that thing you’ve always wanted to do, Marcie. And when bad things happen, dust yourself off and keep moving forward. Don’t let it take you down or make you afraid to venture forth, again. Your fears are making you your own prisoner.
Life was meant to be lived, enjoyed, and to give back to others, but what if you’re just marking time until you die? That should make you more afraid than anything else.
It’s not just the difficult times God will carry you through, but if you don’t get out there and live your life and try those things you’d like to try, you’ll never experience that God will carry you through those as well. Sending you my love and prayers, Brenda
Brenda,
Thank you so much for your advice. I’m very grateful for everything you said.
I appreciate it so much.
I’m glad, Marcie, because I didn’t want to overstep my bounds. xoxox, Brenda
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