Empowerment

Many of you know that through work I had the excitement of heading to Spain for a long weekend – all expenses paid.

Truth be told, I was VERY nervous.  Nervous and anxious for many reasons.

1. I was leaving my kids behind.  I know a weekend of  not having to ferry them left, right and centre; not being yelled to know where their games kit was; no breakfasts, lunches or dinners to make and the list could go on.  So why on earth was I nervous?  Honestly, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve left my kids at home.  They weren’t with a stranger, they weren’t on their own; their Dad was looking after them.  I just had MAJOR mum guilt!
2. I am TERRIFIED of flying!  Terrified doesn’t even begin to describe just how I feel.  The only other time I’ve been out of the country without my children, I called my girlfriends and said I wasn’t coming.  I got on that plane.  I faced my fear then, I sure as hell as was going to face my fear now.
3. I didn’t know anyone personally on the trip.  I knew faces, I had spoken to few ladies (well two because they had been in the same test group as me) but other than that I knew no-one.  I could have taken someone with me but everyone was busy …. well that’s what they said! Maybe they just didn’t want to come!!
4. To top it off the group going was made predominantly of women.  Why on earth should that be a BAD move?  Well, you know how it goes … get a group of women together and they can be catty, unkind, give you the ‘eye’ … if you have ever read Mean Girls, then you know exactly where I am coming from.  Those looks which start in the playground, often go on until adulthood and they make me really nervous.

I hate confrontation.  It makes me feel sick to the stomach.  Those 4 reasons above were my main reasons for the feeling the way I felt.  To me, those reasons were good enough NOT to go!

Long story short, I did go.  Yes, the flight was delayed … did nothing for my nerves.  The kids coped without me JUST fine and I got to meet the most amazing ladies!

You see, I now have a very different view of women together.  During that trip I met with one lady who I had met in the test group and her amazing daughter.  They took me immediately under their wing.  Not that I need to be hand-held but there is something very comforting about being welcomed into a fold.  The rest of the ladies in this group were just as welcoming.  They were like me.  I could feel their warmth; their friendship flourish; their laughter – boy there was lots of that; they had air about them which wasn’t mean. It wasn’t stand offish.  They were welcoming.  I have NEVER laughed so much in my life.  They often say that laughter is the best tonic; this was definitely what the Dr. ordered.  No-one lived in each other’s pockets.  We all had the same intention in life … to help others.  To inspire women to build their confidence back.  To lead by example and live a healthier lifestyle.  To be happy.

At the start of this blog I spoke about cattiness; mean girls; rudeness … this is NOT what I experienced with this community of women.  This group lifted one another up; they cheered each other on; they gave insights into how overcome elements in their lives; honestly … they empowered one another.  Over the course of those 3 days, I saw the power of a community of women together.  The best tonic ever.  If we empower each other, we are allowing ourselves to become stronger, more confident and gain US back.

In my office I have a saying, “Your vibe attracts your tribe.”  This weekend allowed me to do exactly that.  Find your tribe today.