Are we talking teams?

Are we talking teams?  In that case, Team- Women Who Support Other Women

A few week’s ago, a friend hosted a ladies game night for her birthday. I knew in advance that I wouldn’t know the majority of the women there because she and I don’t have many mutual friends. That didn’t matter to me at all though because I enjoy meeting new people. I walked in and was warmly greeted by a group of unfamiliar faces. We joined teams (Taboo is brutal), formed alliances (LRC is no laughing matter), held side conversations with new acquaintances, and shared hugs and warm goodbye’s as we departed. I’m not mentioning this because I’m surprised as I do believe this [women embracing women] is the norm for most female settings. However, there was a time when #youcantsitwithus was all the rave (for some) and women who more easily welcomed other women were one offs, so as I share below, it’s just awesome to see the way we interact and support one another as a whole.  

Earlier this month I was invited by my friend Catherine to join her and a few other women whom recently started businesses, for dinner. We met prior to dinner to support Erica’s Conflicted Pixie pop-up shop and over dinner we discussed ideas, strategies, shared business insights, etc. but the most impactful parts of the conversation had nothing to do with business. The way that we just naturally supported one another as we shared some of the struggles we each face as women is what I valued the most. We were less than an hour in and I could already see that our diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences would bless one another. Zsofi, for example, is clearly an encourager – before the end of the night she had me feeling like I could conquer the world. And as the Purpose Coach of the group, I was asked poignant questions about our purposes which have since led to the development of a new workshop that will be featured in the spring; so a huge thank you to the amazing bosses- Catherine, Shelley, Alice, Zsofi, Coonoor, and Tanya for the inspiration. As the evening closed, it was like pulling teeth to get us to say good-night. I’m pretty sure Tanya [whom had to leave early] said good-bye twenty times before she actually moved, none of us wanted to leave.

I was recently connected to another amazing woman whom I can already tell is meant to be half Barnabas, half Paul to me. She is the quintessence of sisterhood and in a short amount of time has poured into me tremendously; reminding me of God’s promises and offering to help me impact more women on a larger scale, on a platform I never imagined. And I was referred to her by another remarkable woman who saw something in me! NOTE: You never know who’s watching.

I believe that there is an inherent bond between women that some choose to ignore or fight for a myriad of reasons.  On Sunday, during the second session of my 3-Part Impact Series on Forgiveness, I shared that sometimes these self-fulfilling prophecies/vows like ‘I don’t trust other women” stem from old wounds that haven’t healed like being bullied, rejected by peers, or abandonment. However, when we move past these things and begin to support each other, embrace our differences, and celebrate each other’s wins, we realize how much we truly can learn from one another and that as a team we are unstoppable.

 “There can be no situation in life in which the conversation of my dear sister will not administer some comfort to me.” Mary Montagu

Let's get to work!

Ready to forgive???  To receive more details or to sign-up for the next Impact Series on Forgiveness, click here.

Tired of wandering aimlessly? Hungry for more out of life? Ready to transition careers? Feeling stuck? I'm here to help! If you're ready to identify your God given purpose, transition careers, or simply figure out what's 'next' for you, schedule a time here for a FREE call to discuss further.

If hurt people, hurt people then...

Last night I held part one of my 3-Part Impact Series on Forgiveness and it was a blessing to share some of the things I’ve learned on my journey to forgiveness. I’m still learning and growing and as I do so I will continue to share.
 
“Hurt people, hurt people." We’ve heard this before but what about people that have been healed? What do they do?

Healed people, heal people.

 

This healing of others is accomplished either directly or indirectly. What else could one possibly do with the healing but heal others? Even if indirectly, once you’re healed from whatever wounds you might have had, it shows. Your mental and spiritual posture is different, your attitude is more pleasant, you love harder, laugh longer, celebrate others, etc. Your presence is a blessing. Your smile lights up the room and when you ask someone how they’re doing, they sense that you care because you do. And why do you care? Because you no longer bare loads of unforgiveness, anger, resentment, etc. which means you have the capacity to actually care about others.

In turn, you begin to more positively impact those around you. They notice something different in you, they see the way you treat others, the way you treat yourself, the way you respond to those that hurt you – or more importantly the way you don’t respond! And they too want it even if they don’t know what to call it. People start asking questions like “Why are you so happy?”  “How did you two become friends again?” “Wait, you’re no longer angry about…?”
 
So I encourage you to focus on healing. For those making grand list of New Year’s resolutions, which I highly discourage (maybe I’ll share why in a separate blog post), I pray that you will at least focus on healing for yourself. We can’t restore, retain, focus, achieve, etc. until we heal.

Let's get to work!

Ready to forgive???  To receive more details or to sign-up for the next series, click here.

Tired of wandering aimlessly? Hungry for more out of life? Ready to transition careers? Feeling stuck? I'm here to help! If you're ready to identify your God given purpose, transition careers, or simply figure out what's 'next' for you, schedule a time here for a FREE call to discuss further.

"Heaven is nice, she should go there."

Last week my good friend was faced with the challenge of explaining to her 11-year old son that his great grandmother, “Honey”, whom helped raise him was growing more ill. She told him that Honey was in a lot of pain and Jesus would probably call her home to heaven soon. He responded, “Heaven is nice, she should go there.” That certainly wasn’t the way she expected the conversation to go; she anticipated having to comfort him. Instead, what he said has brought great comfort to her in this time of need.

For many, the holidays are difficult. We lost my grandmother, Queenie Esther (I say her name every chance I get) and my cousin Mikey a few years ago, just before Thanksgiving and there have been plenty of times that I’ve cried wishing they were still here. This year, I will take comfort in knowing that they are 'in heaven and it’s nice there.’

As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas, remember that it’s not about turkey and gifts. Remember those in need, without families, feeling lonely and abandoned. As you celebrate with your family, pray for those that have lost a loved one. Adopt a family if you can, host a community service drive of some sort, serve a meal, just do something to remind someone else that they are not alone. And after the holiday day season is over, don’t stop. Keep showing up, doing something as often as you can to remind someone else that God still sees, hears, and cares.
 

RIP Honey, Queenie Esther, and Mikey.

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Let's get to work!

Ready to forgive??? There is still time to sign-up for next month's 3-Part Impact Series on Forgiveness. To receive more details click here.

Tired of wandering aimlessly? Hungry for more out of life? Ready to transition careers? Feeling stuck? I'm here to help! If you're ready to identify your God given purpose, transition careers, or simply figure out what's 'next' for you, schedule a time here for a FREE call to discuss further.