My heart and my passion is to see cycles broken and lives changed… Sometimes I get the incredible privilege to be asked to speak. I was honoured just this week, September 28th, 2017 to share at the WAVSS (Working Against Violence Support Service- Logan and Redlands) AGM Breakfast meeting as their guest speaker. WAAVS is a service primarily supporting families through Domestic and Family Violence.

My message among many; you are never alone and what pain we feel can be healed through the power of connection, as well as it be prevented. Did you know that someone has already kicked down the door? Someone has already ridden the rollercoaster? Never is the journey you walk one that hasn’t been travelled in some way by someone before you. Paths have crossed…and while your story is unique shared experiences and breaking through fear brings freedom. Domestic Violence like any other form of trauma is a cycle that needs to be broken and one where a victim (male or female) can feel afraid and isolated.

Many of us in our pain and the crisis in life leave us unable to see past what is happening directly in front of us. More often than not, we are blinded by the crisis and the deep emotions felt when the world deals one of its cruel blows. (It is also how people remain stuck in these spaces) This can last a moment… or sometimes years at a time depending on your experience or situation.

The power of connection provides a way for healing to begin… not just any connection, but a safe, trusted and understanding connection. This is why I love services like WAVSS and many like it… because they are passionate about what they do, and they, understand and believe the cycle needs to be broken.

So my encouragement is simple- make sure the people in your circle of influence are the people that you trust, that are safe, and can ride the waves with you. You are more than a label and you are never alone. #ReachOut #YouMatter

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Thankyou to the team at WAVSS who work with victims and families of Domestic Violence and for allowing me to stand with you!

Much Love

Kel Xo

 

#NotAlone #KellyHumphries #UnscathedBeauty #MoreThanLabels   #Wavss #KellyHumphriesSpeaker

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Kelly speaking in an event

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It’s been a few weeks since I hit the platform at the Australian Speakers Institute with #SamCawthorn and his team. In fact; time has flown. Life has really gotten away from me in the last couple of weeks and I wanted to just recap an incredible immersive weekend which was spent with amazing people who both inspired and uplifted me.

When I say immersive, the alarm went off at 3am on the morning of the 13th of May, 2016 and we drove to the airport. That day didn’t finish until late Sunday afternoon. I was deliriously tired, but super encouraged through being able to share my story with other speakers and draw strength from each one. I was blessed to share in their tears, their vulnerability and connect with amazing individuals who have a heart to change the world in their own significant ways. I was fortunate to share this experience with my partner and no doubt we traversed our own unique individual journeys and shared in the highs and lows of this experience together.

I was humbled and touched by these incredible world changers I shared a speaking platform with- which took me on a rollercoaster of emotion; that is challenging my own heart and hearing theirs. I was deeply confronted at one point over those three days, in fact it nearly saw me run out the door with my emotions stretching me almost further than I have been. This may be something that I share at a later point, but it involves confronting the biggest demon in my closet. Sometimes I feel like forgiveness is the greatest battle I face, there is freedom in forgiveness, but there is also many layers to how this looks and it is not always black and white. I had to get real with myself, very real.

I felt like a rubber band being held at the point before it snaps… seems like the place I find myself more often than not as I face each challenge on this journey to sharing my heart and story with the world. It is the place where I lose control and have to trust in the ‘big fella’ in a leap of faith seeing me cross from the known, to the unknown. The seen, to the unseen. I know this journey is not mine alone, but his.

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With this incredible opportunity I have been able to tweak and refine my message and consider things I had not thought about when it comes to the challenge of sharing my personal journey with the world and subsequently breaking these cycles of silence. I often feel that I am nothing, and wonder in awe at how far I have walked on my journey, and while it has taken everything in me, I am strong and I am ready to take on the world.

It never ceases to amaze me the power of words and the ability to have a strong conviction One thing is certain, Sexual Abuse is not confined by status or privilege, it does not have a stereotype, and behind some of the strongest figures and leaders is someone who has learnt to fight, and overcome. Thankyou to those who felt safe to disclose and share their story with me even if you have never told anyone- I am humbled and I know that our paths will cross again on this journey to #ChangeTheWorld

So, what did I learn? I saw a map and was given insight into the path I am moving along. I learnt that I can do this, and no matter who I share my story and whatever audience I am in, there is someone who is hiding their secret, someone who is afraid, someone who needed to hear that they are loved and valued no matter their past. I could continue to write pages and pages about what I learnt…. But what I feel the greatest thing I gained from attending this 3 day speakers boot-camp is a unique insight and perspective.

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What did I see? I saw hope. I saw change and I saw myself challenged in ways I didn’t expect. Some good things and some not so good, but with each battle comes a step to getting stronger on the journey to becoming an authority in this area. In my quiet times and reflection I saw faces from my past and the demons I still need to battle to be able to withstand the journey… I am closer now than I ever was.

What did I feel? I felt love, and compassion. Understanding and empowerment. Support and encouragement, and I felt tired! But the kind of tired when you know that you have experienced a transformation. I felt supported by people I had barely met who I would now consider to be close friends and confidants.

What now…? Just you wait and see..! I am taking back my power and building my platform. Help me get the message out there. We must break these #cyclesofsilence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharing my story, IWD March 11th

International Women’s Day Celebrations- 2016 

I was so privileged this past week celebrating International Women’s Day with so many of my colleagues and friends across the Queensland Police and Emergency Services. What an incredible week it has been. I have been surrounded by phenomenal women (and men) with amazing stories that have both inspired, bought joy, hope and reminded me what is important in my own life, and it is only the beginning. In spreading my own message, and sharing my story, I only seem to find meaningful and wonderful connection, love, friendship and support. This was certainly the case at this years Crime Stoppers International (Pine Rivers) High Tea and International Women’s Day event on the 11th of March at Kallangur. I was so grateful to come and share my journey at this lovely event.

This week has brought me to my knees, I have cried, I have laughed, and I have even held others in my arms while they cried. I am constantly learning from other peoples journeys, their hopes, and it all comes down to one thing. LOVE. It’s a love I cannot describe because it surpasses anything I fully understand.  I can only say that it is and always has been bigger than me or anything I can do in my own strength. All I know is to keep walking, even when I can’t see where the next step falls. That is faith. When you align your heart with your head, beautiful things happen even when you are scared, when you feel alone, or if you feel unloveable, broken or like you are failing. You are never alone.

For me, it is an answer to a long awaited prayer, and all I really needed to do was say no to my fear. I have struggled more than anything in the last few months to harness my courage and strength. I have much to do, but I know that with the incredible support and love I have received from all of you, my friends, family, and colleagues, I cannot fail. I even have the support of the Queensland Police Service and for that I am grateful and so very humbled. I attended the International Women’s Day Event at the Pullman hotel, on the 08th of March and was Awarded a award for Courage, which I did not expect, or do I feel worthy. But I am humbled that the QPS is behind me in this journey. International Women’s Day Awards

I have many messages, and I do talk as openly as I am able to about how I have overcome Sexual Abuse; and there are many reasons for this which i will share in a later blog for you, but essentially it comes down to this. Your past does not define who you are, or who you become. No one has the power to take your voice. You are made with a purpose, a passion and you are incredibly unique. There is nothing that can stop you from achieving the desires of your heart. “It is time, to conquer your fear and unleash your Unscathed Beauty”

Thank you for coming on this journey with me. Thank-you for sharing your heart with me and allowing me to speak to yours. It is only when we work together can we really affect change, and I can’t do it alone. Bless you my friends.

Much Love, Kel.