Girls and women are fierce! Fiercely competitive. Judging is easy, being better is necessary and being in control is essential. Reality check! No one has their shit together. No. One! Go ahead and fake it 'til you make it, but you're not doing anyone any favours.
In this realm of mean girls, compliments are back-handed. "Ya, she's pretty. Too bad her ears aren't proportionate to her face." "Cool! But if you were smart, you'd do it this way." WTF! Thanks, but no thanks! It's as if complimenting another diminishes our own worth. Women want to preserve all of the positive that they can hold onto. Our fear is that all of that personal goodness would be taken away.
In the days I was lost, I felt like so much was being taken away. My children needed all of my energy, my husband needed his partner, my work needed my focus and my family needed my support. In any normal circumstance, all of those demands are okay and are totally a part of a rich and fulfilled life. BUT. I really did not have my shit together. I felt as if people were taking from me. Taking when I had nothing left to give. My fear was to lose every positive thing I had worked so hard to achieve. I needed to fuel up on life again. So just imagine if we all helped each other fuel up!
Today, when a compliment leaves my mouth to support another woman, it leaves with sincerity and I get to keep the value of my own worth. Women who support other women are empowering them and themselves. It's a two-way street and that is why it is such a powerful initiative.
To the women who are following their dreams and ambitions,
To the women who are failing and are trying,
To the women who have fallen, or have fallen and risen,
To the women who show courage in a big or small way,
I am inspired by you.
This movement is as beautiful as the friendships we form from being supportive and kind human beings. We cannot be drained of life and energy if we all come together to believe in each other.
In order to partake in #womensupportingwomen and #womenempoweringwomen we cannot run on empty. I've learned the hard way that if you are willing to support and empower others, you must let them support and empower you too.
Pascale Payette, you are an amazing leader for this movement! Your products are incredible and your initiative to include women like me and so many others within your entrepreneurship is refreshing and empowering. Bravo 🙌🏻