Create your happiness. Think it, believe it and real life it!

If something doesn’t serve you or make you happy anymore it’s time to move on.  Create your happiness.  Start the first chapter of whatever that new story for you will be.  Think it, believe it and then real life it.

The hard part is doing it or, speaking up and out.

This was the first year I realized that many women are not fans of IWD – hey I get that, why do we need a day when we’re awesome and doing the work we need to do daily?  I feel the same way about Black History Month which is why I continue to celebrate and speak up/out on the topic year round.  Celebrating IWD is a big deal and it’s a reminder that we need to be celebrated everyday before and every day after – whether it’s IWD, Mother’s day or our birthday.  The day is there to recognize, uplift, stand together in solidarity and celebrate all that is she.  All that is us.

Click here for my piece on IWD three years ago.  I feel the same way today and will continue to push forward.

While I scrolled through my socials on IWD and went into a few comment sections (ugh…I know!!!)  were they ever eye opening!  I realized that I may be a little naïve in thinking that we’re all on board the women uplifting women train – I mean, it’s 2021 – but was I wrong, or maybe a little wrong!  Two of the few threads included women I know, mostly women of colour, from the town I grew up in, so I guess this is why I was a little shook.

At first I thought, ignorance is bliss for some and maybe it’s time for a clean-up of who I follow and allow to follow me.  “I don’t need that kind of negativity,” I said to myself but, soon after, I realized that it was a teachable moment for myself first and foremost.

Who am I to judge and if I want to see the change I need to walk the talk and be that change.

I don’t know everyone’s story and just like one of the threads, specifically the Megan/Oprah interview; women were saying Meghan should suck it up and stick it out as she knew what she was getting into.  Some also saying she was lying?  Pardon me?  At first I thought it was a joke and they were making light of it, which is not also right but nah, based on the debate and commentary, they were serious.  There were also many positive comments, including mine which was great to see but damn ladies!

I’ll be honest, I didn’t watch and didn’t care for the interview but it was all over the news the next day and when I saw this particular post I paid attention.  Here’s my take:

• Meghan represents many. Royalty or not, she has raised the bar when it comes to standing up for yourself and for what is right.  Work, relationships, friendships…if it doesn’t serve you, walk away!  Speaking your truth is not always easy especially if it’s the right thing to do and especially if it’s going against the grain.  Not accepting and settling because society expects you to.  That is bravery because no amount of money can fix that and no title can do that for you.

Imagine your “Megan” – a friend, sister, cousin or colleague – coming to you with a similar story or worse.  You’re not going to believe her?  This is the reason why many women don’t speak up.  This is why organizations like womenforchange.co.za exist, to speak up for those who can’t or are afraid to and sadly, for those who no longer can’t.

So instead of blocking or unfollowing a few folks since and, also this week, women dissing little Blue Ivey for winning a Grammy, shame on ya’ll – I will continue to uplift and educate on the topic and if it resonates with just one extra person per post, I’ll count that as success.

Whether it’s educating others or accepting the teachable moments ourselves, we got work to do.  All of us.