One Secret to a Working Mom Success: Make Family Events More Enjoyable With Friends

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Better Together: Why Inviting Another Family Makes Activities More Fun #FamilyFun Sometimes family activities can feel like another item on the to-do list. However, doing those activities with another family makes them more fun! Whether it’s a trip to an amusement park , a visit to the local pool , or trip to a pumpkin patch , including another family can multiply the fun in amazing ways. One of my favorite moms to collaborate with is my friend, Ayana Ledford who's pictured above with her daughter Sahar. We have done all of the things listed as seemingly random examples above and here is how including her and her daughter (and sometimes her son too) has made the events more fun. On the date above, Ayana almost left the venue because parking was a nightmare. That said, she hung in there and we would up having a great time!
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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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