The Power of Story: Reflections from The Listening Room

Listen to my reflections from The Listening Room

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/4a7d66_a746b2ebdc6c4eb5ae912e32c57fb813/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Last evening, I had the honour of sharing my story at The Listening Room, co-presented by Harbour House and ALCHEMIA Art Workshop. It was an evening when women gathered not only to speak but also to listen to one another’s journeys, struggles, and moments of courage.

This gathering was created by Christopher Quigley of Custom Cultured, whose vision for The Listening Room is to offer a space for honest, vulnerable, and caring stories. His approach built community and made the evening possible. I am grateful to have been part of it.

There is something healing about spaces that invite us to slow down and remember that every life carries both hardship and hope.

During my talk, I focused on moments that tested my resilience and changed the course of my life. Each challenge led me to ask one powerful question: How will I rise again?

That question, How will I rise again? became the central theme of my book, RISE: Living Life Over Cancer. Through illness, loss, and unforeseen challenges, I learned that resilience means finding the courage to stand again, even when the ground beneath us shifts.

Sharing this story in The Listening Room reminded me how powerful it is when people gather in community. After the isolation many experienced during the pandemic years, there is a renewed desire for connection, for spaces where voices can be heard, and hearts can meet.

These gatherings remind us that we are never truly alone in our struggles.

As I reflect on this experience, I am reminded that sharing our stories of resilience can inspire others. When we share how we rise, we offer hope to those still seeking their own strength.

Happy International Women's Day!

Betty Jean