Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Psalm 98:4
I’ve always been known as the loud one. From a young age, I got over excited when I talked, sang, and yelled. We used to play baseball on the field behind my house, and my parents would come outside thinking that there was an emergency, only to find out it was just me catching a ball or running the bases. Even a simple after-school game of Nintendo turned into a high-volume affair. As a kid, I simply got carried away.
"Make a joyful noise ..."
As a teenager and young adult, I became intentionally loud. I leaned into my identity as a boisterous and rambunctious person. To be honest, I was obnoxious, drunk, high, or manic most of the time. In retrospect, I believe I was not very fun to be around, and I drove a lot of my friends and family away.
Looking back is embarrassing...
When I entered mental health recovery, it came with an identity crisis. For my whole life, I had been on full volume, and now I was looking at making major changes in my life. As I walked the walls of a treatment center, I wondered which parts of me I would leave behind. I discovered that the obnoxious, uncontrollable, and deafening side of me would have to be something I monitored and addressed. However, I was surprised that I could still be loud from time to time.
Life is different today!
These days, when I preach, when I sing, when I lead, and when I speak to large groups, I get a chance to be loud. Transforming an embarrassing and annoying trait of my past into something I enjoy and can be proud of is why mental health recovery is so rewarding to me. I have learned how to make a joyous noise. This experience has taught me that regardless of where someone is on their recovery journey, a shameful and awkward past can be renewed.
Loving creator, inspire me to discover new aspects of my past behavior.
AMEN
8 Responses
An article filled with hope, thank you. We have essential elements of ourselves we are not proud of, not comfortable with but which are truly part of what makes us who we are. Your take on this does give hope that we don’t need to discard these elements but rather rework these parts of ourselves to be used for good. Yes, a message filled with hope.
Amen
Well said Britt.
Amen
You and me both.
https://www.google.com/search?q=carol+burnett+sings+im+so+shy&oq=carol+burnett+sings+im+so+shy&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIKCAEQABiABBiiBDIKCAIQABiABBiiBDIKCAMQABiABBiiBNIBCTIxODA4ajBqN6gCFLACAQ&client=ms-android-bell-ca-rvc3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:eeb5d37c,vid:ouL9ZMzEZ4k,st:0
Thanks Anya!
That’s such a great message, Seth! It’s inspiring how you’ve accepted your “loudness” and turned it into a strength. Your story is a testament to the power of self-discovery and transformation. We all have something unique that can be channeled into something positive. Thanks for sharing!
Always appreciate your input Pétur. Thanks for the encouragement.