Photo by James Marvin Phelps on Visual hunt / CC BY-NC
Hello everyone. I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a busy holiday season, and I’m looking forward to 2018. I’m hoping this is my best year yet, and I hope it’s your best year as well.
For my first post of the year, I’d like to talk about the negative messages women receive throughout their lives. It feels like every decision we make, society has something negative to say about it. I believe the image below is an accurate depiction of what women go through as they follow their own path.
So, one of my goals for 2018 is to be more supportive of other women even when their path is different from mine. I don’t want to join in with all the negative voices and be part of the crowd. I want to be the one positive voice that’s yelling out, “You go girl!”
If we received more positive messages just think what we could accomplish. If we didn’t have to spend so much time and energy defending our position or our choices just think how far we could go.
Hmm…makes you stop and think, doesn’t it?
Do you think we can turn this trend around?
I do. More and more women are aware of the negative messages society has cast in our direction. My question is where does this all stem from? How did it get started?
This is something that’s been going on for generations. You can see evidence of it throughout history. We’re changing it, slowly, but surely.
We need to band together. The hardest part of all of this is for women to see that we’re part of the problem. We need to stop judging each other so harshly and start supporting each other even if we don’t agree. Everyone’s path is different and we’re all entitled to our own path. We need to remember that when we get into that critical, judgey mode. A lot of women do this. I’ve seen it, but we can change this and send more positive vibes out into the atmosphere.
Photo on Visual hunt
This is important because we need to be role models for future generations. We want them to have it better than us, don’t you agree? We didn’t go through all the crap we’ve been through for our kids to experience the same thing.
Photo on Visual Hunt
The world needs compassion right now. With more compassion and less competition we can do amazing things. What are some of the things you can do to be more supportive of women around you? I’m always looking for ideas!
So there you have it. One of my New Year’s goals is to have more compassion and support the women around me. How about you? Let’s create a ripple effect and see what happens. I’d love to see amazing things in 2018, wouldn’t you? Leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!
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Yes!! This ☝🏻100%. Love more, judge less. That’s what we need from each other, let’s lift each other up! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by and giving your support! It’s greatly appreciated! 🙂
Lovely message and beautifully written!
Thank you! Thanks for stopping by, Ashley!
Well said! What a great goal to have. I think I will join you.
Awesome, Angela! Thanks for stopping by!
“You go girl!” Am right behind anything that supports gender equality and gender empowerment. And if these can be achieved via positive messages, so much the better.
Awww…you’re so right, Denzil! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! 🙂
This very much so reminds me of the quote “empowered women, empower women.” Great post! Very inspirational to hear another women recognize that we need to stand together!
Awww…thanks for your kind words and stopping by. I appreciate your support. 🙂
Love this post and all your goals for 2018, Lisa! You go, girl! Cheers and all the best in 2018!
Thanks, Sharon! The same to you!
Becoming aware of the messages themselves feels like a win in some cases. One of the places I have to catch myself is with little girls. “How pretty you are!” or “What a pretty girl!!” Comes to easily to my lips. But being praised for our physicality isn’t helping. I’m not saying never offer a compliment like this–but being aware of reinforcing the focus on women’s looks instead of their brains or efforts is, for me, one of the places this wrong-way focus in our society needs to be righted. I think your 2018 focus is a fantastic one.
Oh. Wow. Angela. You bring up a very good point. I think this is the root cause of a lot of self esteem issues for women. We discount our brains and wonderful personalities and only focus on our physical beauty and if we aren’t as physically attractive as another woman then what do we do? Ahhh…this is another topic for another post, me thinks! Thanks for stopping by!
Loved this! You’re so right about needing to support women – the amount of bashing I see going across social media is disgusting!
I know, Suzie. And it’s so sad. If we all banded together and built each other up, just think how far ahead we’d all be. 🙂
Yes! Absolutely this! I try my utmost to be nothing but supportive of my sisters (whilst remaining genuine). I agree it does create a ripple effect. Why wouldn’t someone want to say something nice to someone to make them feel good. And the more we do it, the more it will cascade throughout society x
Yes! You are so right! I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in 2018. I hope this is the best year yet!
Reblogging this to Success Inspirers World 🙂
Awww…thanks so much! I appreciate it! 🙂
You’re so right. We should be building each other up not knocking one another down.
Thanks for stopping by, Rachel and sharing your thoughts!
Yes! Thank you for this. We’ve let society take part in tearing each other down. Time to build and support each other.
I agree!
Great post, Lisa and it comes at the end of a week where my teenage daughter has really learnt the meaning of supporting friends, after a suicide attempt by one of her group. Very tricky week for us all and can’t put it down here (we adults had to make some tough decisions re child and mental health service input) – but I am so proud of the girls for supporting their friend, not judging, and for supporting each other. So I am all for building each other up and offering support in 2018 and setting a good example for our young women xxx
I’m so sorry to hear this, Claire. That’s such a scary situation. If there’s any way I can be of assistance, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m sending you and all the girls in your daughter’s group prayers and healing vibes.
Thank you Lisa! They returned to school yesterday, and her friend asked my daughter to attend the meeting with head of pastoral care…..mental health team involved, but tricky home situation. Will direct my girl to your teen novels as a great distraction xxx
Awww….that’s so sweet. Reading is a great way to deal with stress and I hope my stories distract her enough that she can find some peace.
More support for women sounds fantastic! I’m cheering you and all those other empowering women on 😀
Thanks, Christy! You should include yourself in that group as well!
Awww ❤
What a great idea and I am with you all the way on that Lisa we all need to support each other as women and I always when I am out walking smile at others as sometimes just a smile can make someone’s day…No one knows who that person is or what they are carrying but a smile from a stranger can just lift that person a little bit 🙂 Great post 🙂
Awww…thanks, Carol! I appreciate your kind words. Thanks for stopping by.
You are most welcome Lisa xx
Awww….thanks for the shout out, Christy! I appreciate it!
Always my goal. Love this!! It isn’t just about women supporting women. Strong women who support one another raise stronger children, support their husbands and extended family. The more we support and the less we judge, the stronger society we build! Well said, Lisa! ❤
Awww…thanks for stopping by, Angel! I appreciate your kind words! 🙂
Less judgment of self and others, let there be peace in the world and may it begin with me!
Love it, Eliza! That is an awesome phrase! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing it with me!
My pleasure!
As a guy, I do my best to never say such remarks, and – if I dare say – I don’t think I’m particularly bad. If I have a problem with someone, it has nothing to do with race or gender – it usually has to do with the offending person. Thus, I don’t make stereotyping comments (on purpose. Accidents are usually where I don’t realize how it could sound). I take the problem to the source. I see people as people, and I don’t define them as man/woman, or black/white/etc.,etc. I see them as people and treat them as such. 🙂
Good for you, Erik! You’re headed in the right direction!