One of my clear childhood memories is one involving a nickname my mother had for me. She used to call me Gloria Steinem. This is in reference to the notable advocate who rose to prominence in the 1960s during the feminist movement. She often told me that I reminder her of Ms. Steinem with my spunky attitude and “I can do it myself” mentality. Even as a small child, I remember my favorite “toy” was a clipboard. I would run around the neighborhood organizing the other children. My mom would say if there was a group of kids playing, I was the only one she could hear!
I proudly wore this moniker. I liked being compared to Steinem.
The spirit of mom's words lives on in me. Almost daily lately. There has been this heat in my belly that is growing into an all-out fire. And that fire is lighting the way for where I'm going. This "go-get 'em" attitude is all well and good when you're feeling good. But how do you do that when you're hurting, stressed out, overwhelmed, or have unresolved trauma? I'm glad you asked. Sometimes we aren't feeling like conquering the world. Sometimes we aren't even feeling like showering. Totally get it. A simple tool to raise your vibration when you're in the "shut down mode" is to go slowly. Take one very slow step at a time. A slow step is better than no step at all. Here are some simple steps to take. You don't have to take them all at once. Doing these things slowly will eventually pull you out of that lower state and get you moving in the right direction.
Go outside - get some vitamin D
Sing or hum
Hug someone or hug yourself
Laugh (or cry)
Meditate
Recognize and celebrate one small thing you're good at. (Make a mean meatloaf? Celebrate that shit!)
Allow yourself to daydream about the future
The good news is, you will not be in this low state forever. It is possible to be grounded in the present while simultaneously dreaming of the future. When you're ready, in your own time, get up and get after it! You don't have to invent something or cure a disease or become an IG influencer to be a trailblazer. You can be a trailblazer simply by tapping into your unique gifts and sharing them with the world. The world needs you. The world needs your voice. The world needs your unique perspectives. The world needs you to challenge yourself enough to get up, take a shower, and tap into your talents.
Another thing my mother always told me was to make my own way in the world. She said that you cannot count on a man or a company to take care of you; you must take care of yourself. Get an education, run your own business, and be your own person. If, along the way, you meet someone who wants to come along for the ride, that’s a bonus. Don’t go out in the world to shop for a partner. Go out to blaze a trail. Maybe my mom had a little Steinem in her, too.
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