Women of power and how to be one
Jun 4th, 2008 by spaceagesage
Gratitude has been on the top of my list this week. Exploring it anew has given me motivation to write about some of the women of power I know:
My “Aunty M,” also known as Muriel: Her parents owned a movie theater and within those magical walls of childhood dreaming, she fully bought into the idea that people “live happily ever after.” Her adult life proved otherwise. Despite that, she always exudes loving warmth to me and an artistic quirkiness to the world. Class, style, hospitality, and charm amid an emotionally tough life. This is a woman who still takes 2-liter (soda) bottles and painstaking fills them with fantastical two- and three-dimensional images to give to her institutionalized adult daughter so she can carry them around on her daily walks through the halls.
Blogger and community magnet Liz Strauss: Liz is a writer, career coach, and strategic planner, and despite her success at Successful-Blog.com, she makes time to take care of her readers. She is the first person in the world of blogging I actually felt at home with when commenting on her site. Behind her words is a uniquely giving person who builds people up, who helps enhance the blogging community, and who pushes our understanding of blogging to new levels. Thanks to Liz also for bestowing the SOB (Successful and Outstanding Bloggers) award to the SpaceAgeSage blog!
Writer coach and blogger Joanna Young: It’s been awhile since I took a writing class, but no professor ever covered the subject like Joanna at confidentwriting.com. If there is an angle or dynamic to either writing, the writing process, or connecting with readers, this woman has a handle on it. Her heart is as big as her knowledge base. She is the first blogger who linked to my blog. This was a milestone for me that came at just the right time to keep my writing coming from my heart. Thanks to Joanna! (Her post on writing with Gratitude motivated this post.)
My three writing buddies and nieces: I once helped home school them when they were munchkins, but they have grown beyond those days. Never have three sisters seen the world at such weird angles and been able to write about it in such unique ways. They don’t really understand their gifts in this area yet, but I’m workin’ on them! All three have blogs, although motherhood currently limits their writing:
imaginationoitanigami.wordpress.com
doesitcomewithgravy.wordpress.com
So what does it take for such women of power to impact the world?
- Despite off-track moments, they always re-center on the calling of their hearts
- They understand giving is a way of life, and they learn to find a healthy balance
- They realize manipulation, control, and feeling entitled are just childish games
- They do not hold up their accomplishments as a reason to respect them
- Their praises more often come from others rather than themselves
- They treat even critics well without becoming defensive
- They build others up rather than tear them down
- They let their actions and words speak for them
- They learn to tackle their own shortcomings
- They have a passion, not an agenda
- They value relationships
- They care
Thanks so much for this beautiful post Lori, and including me in your list of women with power. It means a great deal to me.
I hadn’t realised I was the first person who linked to your blog, but I’m kind of glad that I was. It means we’ll be forever linked in a special way 🙂
Thanks too for being such a constructive and thoughtful commenter. It makes a difference.
Much love and thanks
Joanna
Joanna — you’re welcome! The world needs leaders in many forms and venues to change things for the better. I’m glad you are one of them.
Weird angles, maybe, but after a while it just gets under your skin and feels good. How many under-the-skins can claim positive impact on feelings?
Thanks for thinking of us – you’ve always been one of my writing and photo heroes. (I don’t care for the word heroine, sorry)
I really look forward to investigating the people and blogs you’ve listed.
imaginationoitanigami — you three just need to focus all that into something to share!
Thank you so very much for the undeserved praise. It left me teary and wondering “where did that come from?” I have so much admiration for you, your writing, your lifestyle and your husband that I feel quite proud and humble that you would find those qualities in me.
Thank you for the other sources; I’m looking forward to checking them.
As for the quirkiness? Yesterday, I accidentally drilled 6 holes into my Formica cabinet top. Glad you didn’t mention intelligence.
Love You……..Aunty M
hmmm. a woman of power huh? Power (insert evil laugh here). Just kidding.
Thanks doesn’t seem to cover how I feel. There’s a bit of gratitude, maybe some embarrassment and a sense of amazement. Wow, she thinks of me that way?
I find it interesting, because I look up to you. Follow your lead on some things. I value your advice and critique. Even when it might hurt.
I have a long way to go before I will consider myself a woman of power, but I am on the righ path. Thanks to you, my sisters and a few others.
Remember when you made us Star Trek communicators…
Well, all thought on where I was going are ruined… Ethan just stuck his finger in Benny’s bum and I lost track while washing his hand off. Eww.
Love ya.
doesitcomewithgravy –I have seen you grow into a person I am proud to know, who will, I repeat WILL, write one awesome action thriller soon. That success will catapult you to that place where you accept your power and dance through life with it.
(FOR READERS, Benny is a dog and Ethan is the youngest son of doesitcomewithgravy!)
Aunty M — you, a drill? I try to avoid devices that rotate at maiming speeds.
Yes, you are a huge light in my life. You helped me see beyond farm life, and your early appreciation of my writing skills helped me believe in myself.