Today is Thanksgiving, and it carries with it the traditional aspect of giving thanks, or showing gratitude for what we have and for the people in our lives. This is an important tool when it comes to empowering women. It may seem like common sense that we should be thankful, but sometimes, we do not see the various ways to express gratitude or realize who we should thank. When women become empowered, it is because they have accepted support when it was available, reached for opportunities when they were in grasp, and they developed the skills necessary to become strong, determined, knowledgeable, and confident. As women flourish, they should express gratitude for the opportunities and support they have had because it helps them to remember where they began, and to realize there are other women that need the same support. The expression of gratitude can lead to the act of giving.
I am a woman who was blessed with a group of family and friends who supported me. They encouraged me, stood beside me when I made difficult decisions, and listened to me. Without these people, I may not be where I am now. It takes a lot of strength to rise from abuse to become confident and accomplished. I worked hard, but it is important for me to recognize the people who guided me along the way. I have had professors and people in my network who validated me, and pushed me harder. These people deserve my thanks. I have been presented with opportunities that have made a huge difference in the direction of my life. I had to grab the opportunities, apply for them, or work for them, but the fact remains that without them being available, I would not be where I am. Part of being empowered is the realization that success, accomplishment, etc… is a group effort. We all gain when we give.
Three types of gratitude can help you to bolster empowerment:
1. A simple thank you to mentors, teachers, advisors, employers, family, or friends who have helped you become strong can not only strengthen your relationship, and it can inspire them to continue helping others.
2. When you are grateful you may be more willing to give back and help another woman rise from abuse, lack of self-esteem, or any other situation that limits her.
3. Any connection made when networking should be recognized, and if it was from a speech, or someone who offered stimulating conversation, a thank you email can encourage a stronger connection and make them more willing to associate with more rising women.
This is only a small list, and there are so many ways to express gratitude and various reasons to do so. The important thing is to realize we are not born skilled and ready to take on the world. We all take various paths, but there are people and experiences that help to make us stronger. Without recognizing this, we miss an opportunity to forge stronger relationships and to give back.
Leading and Inspiring 