“I write for those women who do not speak, for those
who do not have a voice because they were so terrified, because we are
taught to respect fear more than ourselves. We’ve been taught that
silence would save us, but it won’t.” –Audre Lorde
I went through a horrible divorce.
Horrible. It was my choosing, but still I felt weak and broken. The
fear I felt was real. I had no idea who I was or what my future looked
like.
My family felt broken and even though that was not true, the fear I felt around my decision was real.
Raising kids by myself? Never wanted it. Did I mention that my husband
and I worked together? Not only did I end my marriage but, essentially,
my career as well.
I had no vision for my future and no voice of my own.
Today, in honor of every woman that struggles to free her voice but
cannot just yet, I ask that we, her sisters, define ourselves, name
ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves–in her honor.
Let’s take a moment to recognize and respect the foundation
and nurturing framework women provide to family and community all over
the world.
We do epic things, every day, under amazing circumstances.
Because when I felt most broken this is what I needed to see: other women stepping into their power.
I needed to hear their voices and stories. I needed their beauty and
their scars. I needed them to sit me down and say the following:
You are not your wound, your weakness, or your resume.
You are not your pain. You are not your job.
You are not your income, your parents, your children, your partner, your community, or your circumstances.
Sometimes we have too much faith in
these things, these illusions. Our lives are not defined by these
circumstances or by others. Those things may be fact, but they are not
always truth.
Who are we? We are the TRUTH we speak about ourselves.
In my weaker moments, it would have rocked my world to hear a
chorus of strong women telling me that I am this TRUTH by way of my
voice and action.
This has been the hardest lesson of my life: letting go of the
labels, boundaries, and stories in order to get clear about who I am.
Not the stuff I own or the circumstances that I have helped create
through action or inaction, but to get clear about WHO I am and the
gifts I have to share.
Beyond our exterior lies an interior that is so dazzling and powerful it can transform lives.
This place within shows us that we can love more, accomplish more, do
more, and be more. The light that shines shows the way. To see this in
ourselves, we have to see it in others.
Empowerment is a two-way street.
I cannot be whom I am supposed to
be if you are not who you are supposed to be. If my sister is not safe,
then I am not safe. Her lack of safety reveals my own insecurity at a
deeper level. We need to show ourselves to our sisters to help them make it through the darkness and pain.
We often become in people’s presence that which they expect us to
be. So I defy those expectations. If they expect weakness, I am strong.
If they expect less, I give more. I let them know who I am.
People may want to hold us to our past, to an old story, to an old
judgment. I no longer let them. My opinion of self can not come from
others. That power and light, that greatness, must radiate from within
me or it will not come at all.
I share this with all the women I know, so they are clear:
You are more than just any one thing and you are powerful beyond measure.
Desiree
is a consultant, strategist, coach, speaker, storyteller and explorer.
She uses her superpowers–her voice, sense of adventure and belief in
the transformative power of community–to help organizations design
programs that create unrestricted revenue, volunteers and advocates.
You can find out more about her at www.desireeadaway.com, or follow her
on Twitter at @desireeadaway
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