You may have noticed that I was absent from your inbox last week. Or maybe you didn’t, but I in any case, I was, and I am excited to tell you why:
My best friend flew in to surprise me this weekend (yes, I am so lucky!) and I decided to hang out with her on Monday morning instead of writing to you.
Sometimes you just have to roll with what’s given, you know?
The best part of her visit, is that she also inspired this post for you today, so you can thank Nioka for this one!
One of the side effects of being pregnant is that you are often the topic of conversation.
People ask me frequently how I’m doing, I often get advice (solicited or not, all well-meaning of course), and I’m told multiple times a day how great I look (the BEST part of being pregnant for SURE!).
While Nioka was here we were chilling on the couch and discussing my pregnancy, my life, my fears, and all the other stuff that is in transition.
She listened intently and then she wrapped her arms around me and said:
I’m proud of you for doing this.
There have been no words that have touched me more deeply.
It validated my experience, made me feel seen and understood, and I really felt supported and even held up by that one simple sentence.
I can’t remember the last time someone has said to me that they were proud of me, and it made me think maybe you haven’t heard it in a while either.
So here it is, I’m proud of you for doing this, whatever THIS is.
I’m proud of you for getting up and making the best of things when days are hard.
I’m proud of you for listening to your heart sometimes, instead of always following your head.
I’m proud of you for constantly striving to live better, happier, and more in line with who you truly are.
I’m proud of you for saying no.
I’m proud of you for doing your best every day, and I’m equally as proud of you for taking breaks because you need it.
I’m proud of you for being a compassionate person in a sometimes cruel and unfair world.
I’m proud of you for saying things that are hard and having those conversations.
I’m proud of you for letting yourself be seen and shining brightly.
I’m proud of you for being afraid and deciding to do it anyways.
I’m proud of you for taking risks that challenge you and help you grow.
I’m proud of your honesty and realness in a world that celebrates a carefully constructed veneer.
I’m proud of you for fighting for your family and what you believe is right.
I’m proud of you for making the best decisions you can with what you know is true.
I’m proud of you for choosing love even when it’s the hardest choice you can make.
I’m proud of you for leaving shitty situations so you can thrive.
I’m proud of you for letting yourself be heard even when you are scared.
I’m proud of you for being imperfect and allowing yourself be seen anyways.
I’m proud of how far you have come and how far I know you will go.
I’m proud of you for wanting to make a difference, no matter how small because it’s meaningful to you.
I’m proud of you for being the brilliant, beautiful, and miraculous you…weird moles, bad sweat pants, hairy toes and all. J
On this day of thanks I am so thankful for you and the sisterhood of women who are bravely working to create a better world for themselves and each other by choosing to live in alignment with who they are.
I love and admire you for all that you are…and gorgeous…know that I’ve got your back.
I’d love to hear from you now! Tell me who you are proud of and why in the comments below. We are beacons for each other my dear, shine your light to illuminate the darkness.
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