Red Flag Detectors #4: What I Learned This Fall
Hey Red Flag Detectors! Welcome to December!
It’s that time of year when Spotify reminds us of what we’ve listened to the most on their platform.
My list of top artists has me chuckling. Anyone else have Ben Rector and the Gettys at the top of their list? If you do, you’re my people (or maybe had a similar 2022!)
In the spirit of reflection, here are some things I learned over the past 3 months:
*Summer is overrated. When the hot temperatures stayed around too long and then finally fall temperatures arrived and the leaves started turning, I finally got it. I love autumn. Summer is too darn hot and unstructured. I always get anxious as summer starts. I wonder if it’s because I think I’m supposed to love it, but it ends up disappointing me? Whatever the reason, I spent a lot of time exclaiming about the beauty of autumn this year. My kids can attest to this!
*You don’t want to get COVID. Our oldest was taken out by COVID first. Then one by one the rest of us got it over the next day or two. I could feel it coming on while I was finishing editing a podcast. I powered through and then was non-functioning for a few days. My worst symptom was a headache that was worse than any headache I had ever experienced. The symptom that lingered awful pain in my joints. 0/10 stars awarded. I don’t recommend it.
*Working in this space can be hard on my mental health if I’m not careful. I experienced some deep depression. What helped? Telling people I was struggling, remembering to take my medicine, and taking time to think through what I wanted to do with my podcast and my writing.
*I do my best work when I have time to process and think deeply. If I don’t set aside time to do deep work, I don’t feel proud of my work. It doesn’t look as much like “me” as I would like.
*I am a light spring! I was influenced by seeing that Emily P. Freeman had her colors done by Created Colorful and I decided to do it.
Apparently light, pastel colors look good on me. I’m still processing this.
*The world is small. I discovered as I was looking at something online that the Executive Director of GRACE, Pete Singer, lives near where I grew up and where some of my family still lives. So, I looked at his Facebook to see if we had any friends in common. What I discovered was that he was married to someone I attended church with growing up!
Speaking of Pete, I had a wonderful conversation with him that I shared with my Patreon community. We talked about the importance of trained, independent investigations when allegations are raised in a community. He also shared what he would do if something were to happen at his own church and he responded to my question of if people were just more sensitive now. I’d love for you to join us on Patreon.
Thanks for being the best!
Amy
P.S. If you haven’t listened to the most recent episode in which I share the story of a pastor who was on the receiving end of false allegations, here’s the link.