I must admit I'm tired, it's been an emotionally exhausting 48 hours.
Sometimes things don't go as planned. I'm taking my own advice today and choosing to not be consumed by the negativity, to focus on what i can control and to just be in the moment. Yesterday was rough - but the silver lining was that I was honored to speak at Annual Women's Achievement Awards hosted by the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce. A HUGE shout out to their Executive Director - the AMAZING Renee Miller (I grabbed a selfie with her before I left). She and her team did a great job of bringing together some of the most inspiring women I've ever met.
Women who challenged the status quo.
Women who stood up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves.
Women who helped people and families when they were in their darkest hours.
Women who are changing the lives of others, who are breaking barriers - who are simply raising their hand to say "it's my time - and here I am."
The energy in the room was infectious. I met some new friends, have a few coffee (or wine!) dates lined up and even ran into a long time colleague Pauline Handy from back in my insurance days - we had never met in person until yesterday! Talk about a gift!
I needed yesterday far more than they needed me as a keynote.
The day was healing.
The day gave me hope.
That morning I posted on my social that I had lost hope in humanity. I was being honest - it's how I felt. I felt let down, gutted and afraid.
I needed that sisterhood - and the energy from several awesome men in the audience who snuck up to me after my speech and told me they "got me", they understood my words and they also understood what needs to be done.
I didn't hold back in my keynote - I didn't dim my light.
I talked about equality, I talked about leadership, I talked about inclusion and the importance empowering others to use their voices for the greater good.
The healing begins - but the work isn't over.
I deeply believe in women's rights - but more importantly I believe in human rights.
We come together when we build bridges not walls.
We come together when we lift others up, not when we pull or push them down.
I hate to admit it but I don't think America is ready for a female president - especially one of color. Many of my friends told me that - and I didn't want to believe it. Yet - here we are.
She was held to a different standard.
She fought a great fight, given the circumstances she was tossed.
And now we move on.
I'm not sure what the future will hold - but I know I have what it takes to get through it.
I'm worried about the affordable care act, women's health care, public education, the economy, avoiding wars and I'm worried about the division, the racism and the violence.
It's the hand we've been dealt. It's not our first rodeo. My grandmothers got through earning the right to vote, the great depression, world wars, the civil rights movement, Roe V Wade, the availability of birth control and hell - prohibition! Sadly they died before marriage equality was passed but I'm so incredibly grateful my daughter was sitting in the Supreme Court that fateful day to watch it become official.
I'm going to channel my daughter today - on her forearm is tattooed:
"You rarely win, but sometimes you do." Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird.
It means - you stand up for what you believe in, even if you think the odds are stacked against you. Because sometimes - you will win those battles and they will be worth it. You persist.
Things always don't turn out how you imagine - but that doesn't mean you give up.
There is always hope and there is always a fight to fight.
Find your tribe, surround yourself with likeminded people - find that healing energy, that inspirational energy - that empowering energy.
It's going to be ok.
Thank you again Renee for yesterday - you were my guardian angel that I didn't realize I needed.