Throughout the last year, through family crises, life changes, including moving to college, and general growth, I have found a solid group of ladies who make my life better and support me in all my aspirations. I have also realized how many little girls are around me, looking to me as an example for how to live as a young woman by God's design and someone who positively contributes to the world around her. All of these women and young ladies are so critical to my personal development and I couldn't imagine life without them. Why it's important to have a strong group of ladies, of all ages, surrounding youPhoto from Pinterest Older women, as mentorsWomen who are older than you have already gone through the life stage that you are living. They have either made the decisions that you have made and can share their experience, have made a different decision and can tell you why, or have made a related decision and can share any 20/20 hindsight that they have gained. They have a better sense of the bigger picture. These women will inspire you. All of the older women in your life live in ways that you either do or don't aspire to. They either embody the way you want to parent, run a business, focus your career, live your life, or they don't. But, you can learn from them either way. They are your mentors. These women have taken an interest in you. They might be your blood relatives, family friends, old teachers, bosses, etc., but that doesn't really matter-- they have taken an interest in your success, whatever the relationship. Use their time wisely, and learn from their experiences. Peer-aged women, as cheerleaders and challengersThese are the women who are your own age. They help you to enjoy each stage of your life, as you live it. They help you to live in the moment-- not to look back nor worry about the future. They understand everything that you are facing because they are facing it at the same time. They will cheer you on in your endeavors. They will also push you to achieve your goals. If any of your peers are further ahead in building a family, developing their careers, etc., they can lead you in your own path. They will cheer you in your own budding relationships and new jobs, and they will also pose as a goal, a challenge, for you to chase after. A circumstance that you see your friend in might inspire you to take hold of a promising circumstance in your own life. Younger women, as your audienceIt is so important to acknowledge the group of young ladies who look up to you. These younger women and girls, you can't choose. You can choose your mentors and your friends, but you never know which little girl might be watching you in any given moment. It could be your niece, your little cousin, your mom's friend's daughter or granddaughter, or the daughter of your family friend. You are a rock-star lady in their eyes! You aren't an authority figure to them, so, instead, they see you as a friend. They know that you aren't like their friends of their own age-- you are a different kind of intriguing to them. Take this as a true responsibility and honor, and rise up to the challenge. These are the women of the future and they need good role models. Their parents, teachers, and relatives will all lead them, but you have been chosen by them to also lead them by example. Live in a way that would make your grandmother proud and your 9-year-old self want to be your best friend. Always look to encourage the women around you, regardless of age. If you feel yourself begrudgingly comparing your life to those of others, start to replace those negative thoughts with healthier ones, such as drawing inspiration from her life for how you want yours to look. Or, reach out to these women and get their story, discover their "tricks", figure out what their inspiration is. Maybe even start a friendship or two.
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