I am consistently inconsistent ...

Clearly, have work to do on the frequency-front.  Much has transpired (as one might expect) over the course of the last four months; new job, new year, new vacations, and why (my goodness) why is Minnesota snowing all over the place.  It's like Scrooge McDuck and gold coins, except I have to shovel it all, it's not gold, and I'm not rocking the top hat.  Plus, I every time it snows I have to futilely reference my "How to Adult in Minnesota for Dummies" book only to realize just how hard I'm failing (spoiler - mine is the driveway that DOES NOT have beautifully straight snow lines and I think my salt application alone might assist in combatting the desalinization of the oceans).  Oh those snow lines? Yes that's a thing.  Right along with perfectly diagonal grass-lines with ZERO weeds.  You try to do it with a baby in a baby-carrier.  See how straight your lines are.  I digress. 

Anyway.  I just finished a guided mediation with Oren Jay Sofer (who is seriously my wanna-be spirit animal) about the support needed for your deep emotions on an internal and external form. 

This meditation explores the need to build a reservoir of support and that got me thinking.  I have been more than blessed in my life to have the love and support of some truly amazing women.  Cultivating friendships has never been a strong suit of mine.  I'm awkward in alllll the wrong ways, but I love deeply and passionately.  That being said, I am handedly a "D student" when it comes to communication; namely keeping in touch.  I will love unequivocally but likely won't tell you so daily, weekly, sometimes monthly, and I'll work on that.  But know, at my core - you're it, boo.  If you're in my inner circle, I'm a ride or die kinda gal. 

This reflection got me going even further - about women in general.  We, women, are phenomenal.  We are strong and thoughtful and caring and considerate and intelligent and resourceful and explorers and lovers and ... honestly Shakespeare can't hold a candle to word development needed to explain women.  We have inspirer's, builders, like Rachel Hollis (I cannot wait to read her new book) and Michelle Obama that we look to.  We walk for our rights and start movements to support each other.  And now... now... we see our 2020 candidates begin to unfurl with a flurry of amazingly strong, intelligent, thoughtful women.

We are fearless and we hold our heads up in the face of adversity.  Sitting in a breast clinic waiting room, scared out of my underwear about a mass found on my breast, feeling like I needed to scream because I was scared, I looked to the room around me - filled with mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, and thought - I want to be like them.  I want to be that strong and dignified and composed. 

So why, why - do we cut each other down?  Why do we judge when we should build?  Why do we rely on the inspirational figures when we have the inspiration to our left and right; to our front and back?  Why do we gossip when we should praise?  We, women, can build each other.  We can support each other - daily - in the trenches so to speak. 

And yes, the meditation this evening spoke about building a core group of supporters who love you and cherish you.  But imagine, if we could extend grace to another woman tomorrow?  Imagine what that kindness could do?  Imagine what we could achieve collectively?  We could be the ounce of confidence, reassurance, and good will that could change a day, a week, or a year for the woman you are lifting!

The small humans and I practice words of affirmation daily, and recently, I was able to attend conference (please anyone provide the name of our key note speaker!!!) about the power that positive and negative feedback have on an individual.  It was suggested that for every negative comment provided, it takes seven (that's right SEVEN) words of affirmation to build that person up again.  Seven to one.  I'm no math wiz, nor am I a betting gal, but especially in today's society, that's a whole lotta work to be done in the realm of positivity for each other. 

Save my thoughts about the ovarian fortitude that the screen provides for another post...

So, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to stop the deconstructing and start the building.  Because as we say in our home, "that's what we do".  We build each other up.  We love.  We support each other.  It's starts with me and it starts with you.  And please note, that this concept is not specific to women alone; it's also applicable to raising our boys to cherish women and to raise our girls to cherish men.  This concept, in broad-stroked application is about honoring, loving and respecting each other in a way that builds us up.  Nurtures friendships and love.  And darn it, allows us to exist and know that we exist in the most perfect form that we can possibly be. 

Or, for some of you... Climb and know you're climbing.