March 2010

The word ‘power’ can be defined and conceptualized in a variety of ways but maybe what matters most, is how we live it out in our own contexts and situations. What you say, how you act, what you strive after and aspire to, stem from what you think and what you believe. In thinking about this month’s theme, “Girl Power” it struck me that girls are often raised with the notion that there are many things in life that they should say ‘no’ to, an expectation that can follow them into womanhood, denying them access to their full potentiality. There is value in being protected from some of life’s events, from some choices; but there is also worth and growth in saying ‘yes’ to some of life’s opportunities and challenges. However this may require us to take initiative, to be brave, to be set apart from the crowd, to swim against the tide – perhaps to be unpopular.

I remember watching First Lady Michelle Obama talking to a group of young girls about the importance of being good students, seeking excellence, believing that they not only have the right to develop goals for themselves, but they have the ability, the ‘power’ to accomplish those aspirations and to make them their new reality. I choose to define power as influence: the possibility to affect myself - my ideas, my values, my decisions, my dreams as well as to make a positive, maybe lasting difference in my particular sphere. I wish the same for every little girl and for every young lady out there and I invite you to embrace your intellectual power, your God-given gifts and abilities, your eloquence, your inner beauty and your life’s passion. Don’t be afraid to say ‘yes’ and remember that some decisions are not just for the moment, but for your future!