2 Miles for 2 Girls for Dove Self-Esteem Wknd

This weekend Dove had a mission for women.  This is part of it:    

Imagine a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety.  Dove^® is committed to building positive self-esteem and inspiring all women and girls to reach their full potential–but we need your help. 

     They then went on to list a whole series of activities for women and girls.  A celebration of women. It was a special weekend to make time for the thing we all could use more of...self-esteem.    I've been missing my track walks as well as girl time with my nine year old...so to the track we went to have a little of both.  We had two whole miles to discuss things.  We talked about things we were really proud of about ourselves.  At nine years of age the nervous laughter and quiet voice proves that she is already growing uncomfortable tooting her own horn.  We worked through it...we listed things we liked about each other as well as ourselves.   Turns out this little exercise to help my young daughter...worked quite nicely for both of us.  It is nice to know that she likes her musical abilities, is proud of herself as a student and thinks her hair is cool.  We also talked about goals that we have for some of the things we want to improve.  Oh and I found out that her latest career path has moved from teacher or vet to surgeon.  Not a bad direction for a bright little girl.  
     Life gets busy for all of us.  But when I decided to become a mother I also decided to do way more than the basics.  I push constantly to do all that I can to be supportive in a million little ways as well as the the major biggies.  My little girl has different needs now...and I'm realizing that time is more important than ever.  One on one with homework, quiet times for talks, more entries in the Mother-Daughter journal we started a while back, a fan at recitals, a volunteer at school...the list goes on and on.  I also have to know when to be the training wheels and when to let her fly.  I gauge quite carefully.  I sneak in the little life lessons every chance I can.  I am gentle with her spirit.  I try to model the behaviors that she needs to learn.  In teaching her to be a good person I reinforce those lessons with myself.  My mother passed many wonderful things to me...but there were a few spots that needed improvement...and sometimes I put them in the spotlight.  I don't want her to need anyone to tell her how amazing she is...I want her to know on her own.  Sure, she has been told she is a gift since she is little but today we took the steps for her to learn that she herself can be her biggest source of strength...2 miles worth of steps...and only the beginning of the journey.  


     (Hey ladies!  Life is hard.  We all work to be more.  To be better.  We all struggle each day with the way we look, how much we weigh, bad decisions we have made and a bazillion other issues.  Don't forget to tell yourselves how much you rock. Also, don't forget to tell each other.  Be kind.  Be supportive.  Ease the judgement.  Be fair.  Give support not criticism.  Make someone smile today.  Give a friend a hug.  A stranger a favor.  Celebrate the sisterhood that we live in!!!!)