The first inspiration

Today, I was....shushed. No librarians were present, holding their fingers to their lips; nor am I an elementary school student. But, today; I was quieted. Or, as is more accurate, strongly encouraged to be more quiet. To choose my battles. To not be so......opinionated.

It's a shame, really.

My daughter has a behavior color chart in her first grade class. They start in the green, and then can earn a purple by exhibiting some subjective and undefined excellent behavior throughout the day. Or, more likely (and quite frequently for my daughter), move to yellow, orange and (insert ominous music) red. My daughter is often in the red zone. She doesn't bite the other children. She doesn't hit them, or even call them names. In fact, two days ago, she showed another boy how to tie his shoes. Whatever could she be doing that keeps her from being a positive example for other children? The answer is simple.

She Talks.

A lot.

She is bright, kind, and energetic. But she "talks too much". Unfortunately for her, so does her mother. And, while I do try to impress upon her how important it is for her, and others, to accomplish their assignments; I am secretly proud. Maybe, she knows this. Maybe, despite the fact that I only have rewards on her chore chart at home for yellow, green and purple days; maybe she knows that I kiss her every night and am thankful each time that I have a daughter that Never. Stops. Using. Her Voice.

As a woman, as a girl; we are often taught to be seen and not heard. It might not be a direct statement; but it's embedded in our culture. I saw a video today, and I've seen it before on Facebook. It's about women "staying in their lane" with relationships with men. The man clearly has all of the worth and power in the video, explaining why the women aren't good enough to warrant his respect and time. The women are even pleading to be more valuable to the man in the video.

It's easy to watch it and find the humor. But at what expense? Why are we, as women, always selling ourselves short. Why do we always feel like we have to ask for what we want? And why would we ever, ever, find humor in something that undermines and debases us? Is it a lack of solidarity? It's so easy to judge and say that another woman isn't on our level.

It sounds so simple; but it isn't.

Being a woman in the modern world is confusing enough, but being a woman in the business world is even more complex. Confidence is arrogance, assertiveness is bitchiness, being passionate is being overly emotional, and emotion is most certainly weakness.

This is my journey to make a difference; for myself; for my talkative, beautiful, creative, passionate, vivacious daughter and all the other women who wondering......how can I master the art of being an "opinionated woman"?

I too, am wondering. To not being shushed......