One Secret to a Working Mom Success: Celebrate the Seasons With Traditions

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Greetings from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ! Things have been busy. I am still a working mom of three, working full time who is trying to make a difference. I do a lot of things and try to be present so that I can learn from them. I share them on this blog so that we can learn together. Below are some thoughts, hacks, and/or lessons that I have learned from navigating my world. "Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world."— Susan Lieberman   Traditions have a way of defining a family, provide stability and give hope. They are especially important for woking moms who spend so much time working to provide for their family that they may miss some of the "traditional" mom things like bake sales, volunteering at the book fair, and a host of actual and seemingly made up holidays.  They are also important for families trying to reinvent themselves in the wake of d...
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Oscar Fashions, Lessons and Angelina Jolie

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I may never have Angelina Jolie’s money. I may never have her notoriety. And I know that I will never sleep with Brad Pitt.  However, after watching the Oscars I have decided that I am committed to trying to acquire her confidence.

A lot of people mocked Angelina after the awards.  But I was in awe. I admired her style. And I thought she was completely bad ass.  

That night she looked into the camera, cocked her right leg and said to all of us, “I am Angelina. Y’all better recognize!” And I had a serious case of confidence envy.

Sometimes I worry that my style, manner of communicating, and ideas might make others uncomfortable. When that feeling comes over me, I retreat. I become a little more quiet. I become a little smaller. I become a little less of who I am.

I have achieved some success, but this practice of “shrinking” has interfered with me living my best life. I have done this at work. I have done this in social situations. And I know that I did it when I was in front of Donald Trump during my “Apprentice” tryouts in 2006. That’s I was never on the show.  
Angelina seems to embrace who she is.  However, I think that there are other women out there like me.

I am not the only woman who is sabotaging her success by failing to embrace the fullness of who she is. For a lot of us, sometimes it is easier to blend in that it is to shine.
But I no longer want easy. I want to be strong. I want to be bold. I want the confidence embodied by Angelina the night of the Oscars. She didn’t stutter. She didn’t stumble. And she didn’t shrink.

I was inspired.

I may never be on the red carpet or present at the Oscars.  However, during my next presentation, I may just stick my right leg out!

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Comments

Thriftanista in the City said…
Do it!

I'm a shrinking Violet myself but through blogging and posting pictures of myself I become bolder and more accepting of who I am everyday.

I just think about the Marianne Williamson quote "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world." and go for it!
11:50 PM
KiaD said…
What a great post! I often feel the same way about downplaying my true self so that others are comfortable. Professional women do that far too much to avoid being labeled a B###h but all it does it keep us from living life to the fullest. Hats off to you for recognizing your inner Angelina and vowing to let her shine. Powerful ladies--stick your legs out!
12:09 AM
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