Everyone I'm speaking to has been in a funk. It's understandable. We're in the middle of a pandemic, and many of our plans have been thrown out the window. There's very little good news these days. I feel, now, more than ever, we need to be connecting. "Misery loves company" for a reason. No one wants to think they're alone without anyone to comfort them. I'm always looking for an uplifting account of triumph or a funny story.
I'm a big believer in sharing our stories. I think that's how we inspire and motivate each other to be our best. We all face unique challenges, and our experiences shape our perception of the world. We learn empathy and compassion when we take the time to read or listen to another person's journey. I want to recommend a book that is compiled of forty short stories by forty different women. I'm not an affiliate or receiving a paid endorsement for this book. I just liked it and thought you might too.
"Voices of the 21st Century: Resilient Women Who Rise and Make a Difference" was the salve I was looking for. This heartfelt book is full of small slices of life. Each woman gives a synopsis of who they are and where they come from. Their message is one of hope and belief in themselves. If you only read their credentials, you would never believe the adversity they had to overcome to find their success. The focus isn't on their hardships but what kept their determination alive.
This book gives you a sense of the power we all have inside us to take that leap of faith, to chart a new course for ourselves. It's not pretty, and it's not without fear, but when we move forward with a purpose, wonderful things may happen. It's taking that first step, stumbling and cursing, and worried that we made a big mistake. It's having the courage to ask for help and being open to constructive criticism. It's ignoring the good intentions of others and decide to go after your goals anyway. It's about making a plan and working that plan all the way through.
I related to many of the stories and was inspired by all of them. I'm reminded that no one walks this plane of existence perfectly. We all face self-doubt and insecurity at different times in our lives. We can choose how we approach obstacles in our paths by how we frame them in our minds. If it ends up being the wrong choice, we still move forward with a lesson learned. Sometimes admitting defeat and changing course can be how we find our purpose. Nothing is set in stone as long as we use our experiences to step into new chapters of our lives.
If you're in need of uplifting and inspirational stories, do yourself a favor and pick up this lovely book. You might be motivated to share your message as well. We all need light and happiness. The best way to brighten your day is to brighten someone else's.
You can find the book here: Voices of the 21st Century