I am the mother of girls.
That might serve as a good title of a parenting book, but it is not. At least not yet, as I have not written that book. [I do have a book in me, but it currently exists in outline only tucked away safely both in physical form and in my head.]
I digress.
I am the mother of girls, and as such, find great delight and soul-expanding hope when I see inspirational women who serve as fabulous role models.
My girls – still teenagers – have some fabulous women role models in their lives, and for that MB and I are so grateful. Aunts, both real and honourary, young adults who they have watched live through student years, teachers, older friends.
I believe very much in the concept that it takes a village to raise a child. This pithy and profound expression is most likely of African tribal origin, and speaks of the communal effort of raising well rounded human beings with wisdom and emotional intelligence.
A ray of light in the recent darkness.
In recent weeks, I have spoken much about darkness. But one ray of light shining through and bringing hope to many is the fabulous Kamala Harris, currently serving as first female Vice President of the USA.
The list of this woman’s ‘firsts’ is quite astounding.
Not only first woman to be Vice President, but first black woman and first woman of Indian descent.
First female district attorney in San Fransisco.
First female and first black attorney general of California.
Kamala herself cites her mother as her most important role model, and there are some beautiful and moving speeches she has made paying tribute to her mother.
Her mother was the one reminded Kamala of this important truth:
You will be judged based on your actions and not your words.”
In our present restricted and diminished way of living, there is much that we cannot do.
But there are many things that we CAN do, and the most important is……who we choose to be.
And we can choose to be good role models.
Our young people watch us, notice our behaviour and our actions. More on this here. They are quick to spot inconsistencies between what we say and what we do.
Kamala grew up no doubt observing her mother living out actions that were the outworking of what she believed. Dream and do, she said. Yes, have dreams, but don’t stop there – put them into action, in some shape or form.
Of course we cannot all become vice president or prime minister.
But we can all aspire to be express who we are on the inside – our beliefs, strengths, dreams, values – with actions on the outside that inspire others.
These are hard times that we are going through. But we will get through them, and life will become brighter, more varied and more full of opportunity than currently.
Speaking recently with a coach friend about her experience going through a very difficult transition, I asked what she would go back and say to herself then as an encouragement. She said this:
You will love who you become.”
What a gift to your future self!
To know that the character growth and resilience you are learning, the courageous vulnerability you are demonstrating and the willingness to be proactive despite obstacles is molding and shaping you into a future version of yourself that you will love is something to hold on to.
We may not be able to see our future selves, or what the future is going to look like. But we can choose today to be role models to those around us and to be open to all that we are learning about ourselves as we struggle on through the darkness.
Living on top of each other in our households, as we are currently, makes this more of a challenge. But being willing to be honest, giving each other space and grace, and keeping a sense of humour all help – more on being a role model in lockdown here.
I love these words of Kamala Harris:
Dream with ambition.
Lead with conviction.
See yourselves in a way that others may not, simply because they have not seen it before.”
Who are the role models in your life?
And who are you being a role model to?
How does that affect your behaviour and choices this week?
And how can you make choices today that will enrich and enhance your future self, even if you have not seen that before?
If you’d like more inspiration from the first female Vice President of the USA, this is a great wee montage.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55684845