A Strong Woman

"A Strong Woman" | I've been thinking a lot lately about what I want to teach my daughters about being a woman. Gone are the days when we teach our girls that they will "only" grow up to be a wife and mother. But domestic life and motherhood are still very important and meaningful parts of lots of women's lives (mine included). There are so many interesting doors that are open to women now that never were before and it's exciting. But with all of this, I feel like the thing that impresses me most about being a woman is their strength. It's less about what they're doing and more about who they are. A woman is strong when she cares for, empathizes with and nurtures someone else. A woman is strong when she stands up for herself and her own needs and dreams. A woman is strong when she uses her mind and mouth to share meaningful ideas and better the world within her influence. A woman is strong when she endures repetitiveness and minutia with happiness and a view of the greater good. A woman is strong when she sacrifices her body to bring another life into the world. A woman is strong when she carries deep heartache and still gets out of bed everyday and shows up for life. A woman is strong when she uses her body as an instrument to live her life, not just an object to be admired. A woman is strong when she uses her gifts to create something that makes the world more beautiful in some way. A woman is strong when she lifts other women and participates in the particular joy that can only be found among loving sisterhoods. I am grateful to have lived a life surrounded by so many of these strong women. I am elated to see these seeds growing in my own two strong daughters, and whatever it is they choose to do, I am confident they'll make the world better because of who they are.