Build ’em Up

My generation of women has a lot to answer for.

Perhaps it’s all generations of women and I’m just being narrow sighted. We bully ourselves, we gossip about others, we tear each other down when no one is looking.

Why?

Why do we go to high school reunions to see who got fat? Or stalk people on facebook and smile when we see they are struggling? Why do we believe bringing someone down will lift ourselves up?

I haven’t the answers. The only thing I do know is that I don’t want to be an:

Oh my god Becky! Look at her butt! It is so big…

I want to be an:

Oh my god! Becky!! Your butt looks amazing.

Or rather:

Becky! You’ve worked so hard, I can tell! 

My facebook feed is full of aspirations. I can’t tell you how many friends I have right now who are trying to make it in a home based business such as Mary Kay, Beach Body Health Coaching, and Scentsy; or through self-employment such as a blog, photography, and real estate. Nearly every single one of them – and the posts are every day.

Videos of Cize work outs dominate my feed every morning… and I absolutely love it! These women are brave. They are strong. They are trying for something and putting themselves out there and I will “like” every video; I will “share” every announcement; I will gladly participate in their surveys because I know that it boosts their business.

Nike recently produced an amazing commercial that embraces the idea of working together. Their slogan: Strong alone. Unstoppable together.

That is the world I want to live in – one where we build each other up. Every dream is worthy of my time. If there is something I can do to help them grow then I should do it.

It takes no skin off my back to engage in their FB Pages or Groups. To send them a word urging them to keep pushing forward or telling them how proud I am of their progress. But do you know what it means to them that I’ve done it? Do you understand that each “Like” pushes their business further; each engagement creates future revenue? Social media is a helluva tool and when we all participate in each other’s dream we see just how big of an impact that can be.

Following someone’s blog and sharing their posts, even if you aren’t interested in underwater basketweaving, can attract advertisers. This means money. Your sharing someone’s post makes that someone money. Did you know that?

I challenge each of you to reprogram your mind to offer support and love first. Even if you are not personally interested in what the other person is doing with their life offer a word of encouragement. Show them you are there to watch their success, not witness their failure.

I’d like to say “I’ll see you at the top!” But I would rather walk (or run) beside you as we get there together.