"After being bombarded with images and ideas of what a woman should be, a strong woman is one who can look at herself in the mirror and say, 'I prefer this.'"

Doctoral student Erin Clair, as quoted in What Makes a Strong Woman? 101 Insights from Some Remarkable Women by Helene Lerner.  

Good morning! Tammy sent in this quote with a very powerful email I wanted to share with you. Tammy wrote:

I have been working on the CYLC as well as receiving your Morning Messages. Word cannot express my gratitude for the positive changes they are making in my life. I feel as if I am on the quest to remembering who I wanted to be when I grew up and who I want to be daily. At 36 I would have thought I would have a clue but, as with many women in our culture, life as mother and wife took over and consumed all that I had hoped to be. Thanks for the prompts that are assisting me along this journey. I truly appreciate it.

This was a powerful quote for me as I struggle daily to love the person I am right now instead of waiting to love myself when I morph into the incredible woman that lurks beneath the layers of life. As the mother of daughters it was a also powerful insight to a gift I hope to give them - that deep sense of self worth and self acceptance.

You are certainly welcome Tammy and thank you for this quote and your sharing. Your email summarizes something that many can relate with. As we devote time to mothering our children, we sometimes forget to mother our dreams, desires and self-growth. One of my goals with the Challenge program is to integrate meeting our daily demands and roles, without neglecting our self-growth. That is how we grow and build and get to the place where we can say "I prefer this."

Your Turn:
With the new month at hand, take a moment to look in the mirror and affirm where you are at right now and the wondrous steps you have taken in your life. Then chose a goal for April, make a step-by-step plan, and tackle it. Take 10 minutes a day minimum to mother yourself and nurture your dreams and desires.

Your Affirmation:
I love and am proud of who I am and who I am becoming.