Yesterday was World YWCA Day, and I attended a luncheon hosted by our local YWCA. Keynote speaker Patricia Russo from the Yale Women’s Campaign School was there to encourage women to run for political office and one statement that she made really resonated with me. It was something like this: “Even if you have opposing viewpoints, support all women who run for political office. Stop tearing them down. Stop saying negative things about them behind their back. It starts with us all being kind and supporting all women.”
I completely agree with Patti, but I think it starts in a different place. I think it starts with us being kinder to OURSELVES. I think it starts when we stop looking in the mirror and saying negative words to ourselves.
One of my favorite quotes is…
“Watch your thoughts, they become words;
watch your words, they become actions;
watch your actions, they become habits;
watch your habits, they become character;
watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” – Frank Outlaw
When you see your reflection in a window, do you look away? When you see yourself in the mirror, do you immediately start looking at your “flaws?” I have a feeling the answer is yes for many.
We need to stop this! Our thoughts have such tremendous energy, and the thoughts that we say to ourselves go our into the Universe with that negative energy attached to them. When we have negative thoughts about ourselves, those thoughts become actions in how we treat our colleagues, our neighbors, our family, and especially other women. To have better relationships with others, we must first have a better relationship with ourselves.
What can you do this week to start being kinder and supporting YOURSELF? Can you look in the mirror and say “body, I love you.” Can you walk past your reflection and smile at it rather than looking away? Just try. Keep it up for a few days, a week. See how it changes you. See how it changes those around you.
When women stop hating on themselves, they will stop hating on other women. It will create a ripple effect in our world, and eventually Patti, we WILL stop tearing each other down and our world will be filled with support for all.
This is a video I created years ago and it still rings so true today.