Wow I’m realizing how many cheerleaders I have and I would like to acknowledge them. I’m adding to my team readers of the blog and that make me feel really happy and encouraged. Having this support team around me I can do more, personally and professionally. I’ve told you folk’s things I haven’t previously told my best friends. This is because you have been so encouraging and supportive. This has allowed me to share painful aspects of my life but at the same time, they were huge growth experiences and made me who I am today.
I have cheerleaders of every age and background. I have my husband, my children, their girlfriends and friends to my co-workers, my husband’s family, my own friends and blog readers. Everyone brings a different aspect to my life depending on my role in theirs. Now that I am in my 50’s I am more of a mentor to my younger friends and co-workers. Now that my children are past the teenage years they often seek counsel. I see them struggle the way I did. Several of these young people are extraordinary, much more interesting than I was at their age. At their age I was a young married woman with three children trying to make ends meets and not thinking much about anything other than taking care of them.
I am writing this because I would like you to look around your life and see who your cheerleaders are. You may not have as many as me because frankly I “collect” people. Some people collect stamps, coins, figurines, for me its people. Please take the time to acknowledge your cheerleaders. Women especially need their network in order to celebrate the good times and survive the bad ones. Consider adding to your team, that’s what I did this year. It’s normal that from time to time you will lose a friend for whatever reason; there are many many great people to share your life with. Go get them, add them as cheerleaders and enjoy the warmth and encouragement we can bring to each other’s lives.
Results of the Criticism Challenge: Well I didn’t make it through an hour of the challenge. I would say 50% of the criticism is self directed, I’m fat, I’m ugly, and I’m old. I didn’t write them down because it would have been a full time job. It is very hard not to be critical when things are obviously not right. When people lie or don’t do what they are supposed to do or when someone is 200 lbs and wearing spandex. I really don’t think this is criticism per se but I still have a long way to go but that’s okay, as long as I’m going in the right direction and awareness is the first step. I was not aware how critical I can be. I am somewhat disappointed because I thought I was less so and that most of my criticism is thought and not act but I would prefer not to think in that manner. I will continue to work on it but it was an eye opener. I would be having a conversation with someone and all of a sudden I realized I had been critical. Last week I wouldn’t have been aware I was doing it. I will keep you informed of my progress. I think this is an important aspect to improve on.
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I love your cheerleader picture! Where did you get it??
Hi Karen, I got it at gif.net. I entered into google “free cheerleader cartoons”. BTW it is an animation but we froze it because it would be too distracting on the post. Take care.