Strong Women Inspire Me

In honor of March being Women’s History month, my Company has planned events to celebrate the strength and power of women.  Two weeks ago, we had a presentation given by Helene Lerner who is a lifelong advocate of empowering women.  She is an author and Emmy award winner among other things.  She spoke to the audience about being healthy and comfortable in your own skin, speaking up for yourself and using your power.  She talked of how her turning point was when she considered suicide and then changed her life for the better.  I also received a copy of her newest book, In Her Power: Reclaiming Your Authentic Self, which I have started reading.  It is not an easy read, but more of a personal inventory of where you are and where you need to go.

This week I was lucky enough to listen in on a panel of strong female veterans in the workforce.  Among them was a small pretty, blonde woman who also happened to be retired from the Air Force after 20 years of service.  Her husband was killed in Afghanistan ten years ago and she was left to care for and support their three sons.  If that doesn’t make her bad ass enough for you, she also flew military planes and then worked at West Point!

Sadly, I was also told of the sudden death of a friend of my mother’s.  She left behind a husband, and two children.  She had a 10 year old boy and a one year old baby girl who will never remember her mother.  She was 36 years old.  She was a sweet girl and my heart breaks for her family.  May she rest in peace.

These are the events that have been on my mind.  The underlining theme is that I am at a crossroads in my life.  I struggle with trying to get everything done as a mom, wife, employee, sister, friend, etc. and yet I want to do more.  I want to challenge myself because I know that I have more to give, yet I am afraid.  I am 36 and I have 2 kids and guess what, that's no longer an excuse why I can't do it.  Now it's the reason why I have to do it!  Tomorrow might not be an option.  I have to do it today.  **Hearing RENT theme song in my head** (Extra cheesy, but true.)

There is definitely more on this to come, I promise.  For now, I  need to start doing and stopping writing/talking about doing.  

**That said, what do you want to be/do that aren't because you feel like you can't or shouldn't or the time isn't right?  What excuses are you hiding behind?  And for my doers, what did you do finally that changed your life?  Please share!  I need the inspiration.