DAY TWO

"Women are like tea . . . . . . they only realize their true strength when they're in hot water." - Eleanor Roosevelt
   Today I challenged my friend (and co-creator!) to celebrate the strong women in her life.  To become the woman I want to be, I look to several individuals in my life who constantly amaze and inspire me.  Some of these women are my friends, and I am truly blessed to call one grandmummy, one mom, and one sister.  Each woman I celebrate today has been brave, courageous, brilliant, clever, and beautiful each in her own way.
   I celebrate my Grandmummy because at the tender age of 17 she gave up her country, her family, and everything she had ever known for true love.  If she had not been brave, survived the war, and come to the states, I would not exist.  It took great courage to make it to who she is today.
   I celebrate my mother for so many reasons, but namely because she raised my sister and I to be strong, well-rounded adults.  She chose to show us by being a living example of what an extraordinary woman is: tender, kind, loving, selfless, generous, and lionhearted.  She has seen life through many ups and downs and always has a kind, positive word no matter what life throws at her.  She is truly my idol.
   I celebrate my little sister not only because she is my best friend and "partner in crime," but because she is fiercely loyal, beautiful, strong-willed, ambitious, intelligent, funny, and all the things I strive to be every day.  She also gives me a reason to set a good example for her, to care for her and protect her.
   I can count my best friends on my fingers but each one brings out the best in me, is there to confide in, and always ready to give sometimes crazy advice for all life's silly situations.  They travel the world with me, show me what great women can accomplish if they set their minds to it, inspire me to live with a fierce joy and find passion in all happy things.  They invite me to stand by their side in life's big events, their weddings, baby births, etc.  They know they can call on me if they ever are in need.  They make me feel loved, worthy, and important, and show me the value of friendship with every phone call, text, smile, and hug.
   My friends and family are God's greatest gift to me.  I am nothing without them and I am truly blessed to have them near to me.  I choose to remember this blessing as a part of my 100 day challenge, to remind me of what I am doing this for.  I am not only interested in bringing peace, harmony, balance, and SERENITY into MY life, but also into theirs.
   I hope that I might be as strong a woman and as great an inspiration to my daughters someday.