I am enough. This is me. I am going to move mountains. Because I can.
There are many words I identify with- but one in particular is FEMALE. Yes, I’m a female and that is a fact. I am so much more than the dictionary definition of the word because if I lived my life based on that definition, I am nothing more than the opposite sex of a male that can bear offspring and produce eggs. I am uniquely made just like you and have something special to offer the world or I simply would not have been created in the first place.
I have had hardship in my life like so many people but life is not meant to be easy. These chain of events of “HERstory” have molded and sculpted me into the person I am today. These series of challenges, obstacles, oppositions has forced me to view my life from a new perspective and become resilient in the process. I have learned not to be discouraged by the word NO. Because the answer is never no, it’s NEXT OPPORTUNITY.
When I am tested now in life, I ask myself, “What is this very moment trying to teach me?” The old me would have said, “Why is this happening to me?” It is a completely different mindset, a mindset that I hope to share with others. In the last few years of my life, I have learned so many things, though I cannot turn back time to change how I dealt with certain situations, I can absolutely apply more courageous efforts moving forward. As can you.
My parents, God love them, they truly received a blessing when they welcomed me into the world. I was the first highly sought after little baby girl that they wanted to adorn in ruffles and bows and dress in a sea of pink. Well, they didn’t get what they expected, or I should say, what society expected. I didn’t like dolls and I surely didn’t like wearing dresses. The greatest memories of my childhood were spent outdoors doing things that should I dare say, were boy activities? Society deemed me as a tom boy and relatives said, “Not to worry, as it is something she will just grow out of. ” Well, some of those things did fade away but not all of them. I still enjoy many of the things from my childhood today that society would consider unacceptable for a female, or at the very least, should not be a priority for one.
Life is such an incredible adventure filled with opportunities and challenges, but mostly importantly- choices. Having a strategic choice on what you invite into your own life truly does make all the difference. Just because one does not believe in what it is happening around them, doesn’t mean that it is not happening. Life is a journey that we are all on whether we choose to make the best of it or not. We change, we adapt, we learn, we grow, and we continue to search for our purpose and motivation.
Once I started to reach some key milestones in my life that society deemed to be attributes of a “successful person”, my cup was still not full, and I continued to search for happiness around each corner. It wasn’t until I really pondered and reflected on what I personally wanted out of life and thought about what I could offer the world that I saw true changes in myself.
What did success look like to ME? What would the world look like if I could change it? How do I prepare my daughter for this world and teach her that she is free to make her own choices and grow up to have the same opportunities as her brother?
It was in those moments that I made one of the most important decisions in my life thus far. I had it in my mind that I WILL make a difference not only for her, but for all future female leaders. My inner warrior was awakened! I felt a new sense of freedom, empowerment, and self-worth.
There is no better feeling than the one you get when you have helped others to succeed and reach beyond what they think is possible for themselves. In my professional career, I have had the privilege to lead many people and each experience has shaped me into the leader I am today. I also can count on one hand my former executives that have provided valuable resources, time, and energy to ensure that I succeeded in the corporate world where I have had the opportunity to manage multi-million-dollar businesses. I truly believe with all my heart that I have finally found my purpose in life and my past has set me up for this very moment. I am a creative being by nature, I love thinking outside the box and truly sharing something that can better others is the cherry on the top.
But in the end, this story isn’t about me. It’s about us-ALL FEMALES.
Women now more than ever have MOMENTUM and we must have the courage and strength to persevere and keep moving forward to fight for gender equality in a mindful, positive and respectable way. Momentum is a beautiful thing as Newton’s First Law of Motion states: an object in motion, stays in motion. We are stronger together. Empower yourself and empower those around you. Believe when there is doubt, be the light when there is none, and be the voice of reason when there is silence. Our reactions speak our story to the world around us. The worst thing you can do is to do nothing or not show support to your own gender regardless of your personal beliefs. The choice is yours-what will you stand up and fight for? What do you believe is possible? We must create a world so that future females do not have to have the same battles, and worse yet, wonder where they lost their voice to be heard. Out of all the things to be, be authentic. Be YOU. The world is counting on it. There are far too many critics in our everyday encounters; what we need are more encouragers.
With Love,
KK
