I didn’t grow up with a lot of money. When I was a child, I didn’t fully appreciate what my parents, specifically my mother, was sacrificing. Now that I am an adult, I can see it more clearly. At one point, my mother was working three jobs. On top of that, she  made sure we were clothed, fed and she was at every basketball game. Looking back, I have no idea how she did it. 

Social Media is great. It amplifies messages and allows them to reach people and places that they otherwise wouldn’t. But it is also a double-edged sword. Kim Kardashian was asked a question about business. She was asked what she would tell women in business. And she answered. I don’t want to put her quote here because this isn’t about her. This isn’t about women in business either. 

This is about women — Full Stop.

Think about your life and the women you know. Think about the mother’s, the wives, the daughters, the sisters; think about how they show up even when they are exhausted, overwhelmed, stressed out. They have their own problems and still find space to carry others. 

I heard somewhere, we should stop calling women strong. It draws attention to everything they are being called to do without acknowledging their need to rest. I agree. However, I will continue to call women strong. I will continue to recognize their power. Because strength isn’t just about how much you can carry; it is also about wisdom and balance. 

So to the women who carry more than they should have to: I pray you find strength in the rest. I hope you start learning how to care for yourself, even when it means you might have to “let someone down”. Because ultimately, how can you care for others, without caring for you? How can you choose anyone, if you haven’t chosen you?

And to the rest of us: as we exit International Women’s Month, let’s carry this same energy into the next month and the month after. And so on and so forth. 

If for no other reason than it’s the least we can do to show our gratitude and appreciation. 

Thank you, Ladies for being who you are. 

We celebrate you.