Women Supporting Women
A Golden Circle of Strong Women
My left brain — my linear, logical, and analytical brain, is afraid that I may not be able to do justice with this article, for I have started on it a bit too late. But my right brain — my artistic, creative, and colorful brain, is encouraging me to go for it regardless, for it knows that I am surrounded by a very supportive group of women.
I call it a golden circle of strong women.
When I say a group of women, I don’t wish to confuse you with a pack or a troika or besties. No! Some of these women are close friends, some are family, some are acquaintances, and some I am still getting to know. Yes, a lot of them don’t know each other. I am probably the only common link.
Actually, apart from me being the common link, there is something else that’s a common trait among this golden circle — a selfless and strong will to support one another. I could make such a statement about them because I have had the privilege to be humbled by their generosity.
A few months back, I watched an interview where Indra Nooyi — a woman who doesn’t need an introduction, talks about sisterhood.
You can find that interview here — Sisterhood.
What she mentions about a group of women listening to each other without judgment and supporting each other, in a popular TV show, is extremely important. We do need such women in our life.
Self-publishing my debut novel — Matching Stars, while holding a leadership position at work and being a mother to two little girls, had its own challenges. Now that it is published, as I look back in time, I can see that it wouldn’t have been possible without some of these wonderful women.
For instance, one reminded me how much I loved writing when I was on the verge of debunking the whole idea of being a writer. The other always helped me make the right choices to make me one step closer to achieving my goals.
Even now, when Matching Stars is published, many women from the golden circle have congratulated me and put in some encouraging words through various mediums. This whole experience has been deeply humbling. It’s amazing to see how quickly the circle is expanding its horizon.
We want more women who are not afraid or insecure; rather they are compassionate and confident in supporting one another — celebrating each other’s success.
A week back, when I published a short story — Authentic Love, on Medium, the very next day, I received a message from a friend. Extremely politely, she mentioned a spelling mishap that I had overlooked. I was touched by her gesture. This is the kind of support I am talking about. It could have been easier for anyone to notice and forget to address a mistake. But she didn’t! She took an opportunity to lend a helping hand, showed that she cared.
Growing up, I had a solid role model — my mother, who always encouraged all three of us siblings to be our own person. Through the years under her nurturing, I have learned to stay strong, even amid the most devastating storms of life. She inspires me in ways that only a mother can.
My sister, who is almost always the first to press the like button on my articles. She never misses an opportunity to boost my confidence. At times, I do wonder if she reads through the pages or clicks the like button regardless!
Jokes apart, but honestly, it isn’t so easy to find this level of support.
Almost about half a century ago, in a small town of India, a frail old lady kept warm food ready for her daughter-in-law — then a working woman, a teacher.
By breaking the status quo in her own unique way, she set a trail of change ablaze.
And now, my mother-in-law, who once was touched by the support of that old lady, who happened to be her mother-in-law, has kept the trail ablaze. End of a tiring workday when I enter my home, whenever my mother-in-law is home with us, she welcomes me with her kind words — would you like to eat first?
Both of these kindhearted, compassionate, and supportive ladies inspire me to be a better person and to care for others.
When we help one another, we grow stronger, we get better, together we uplift each other, and in our own unique way, we inspire others to do the same.
I believe that we all can make a difference in the lives of women we are surrounded by. We can create our own golden circles if we don’t already have one. It only takes one single act of kindness.
On this women’s day, I would love to take this platform as an opportunity to thank all the wonderful women I am surrounded by and celebrate our successes. Thank you for being there.
Cheers!! Cheers to the golden circle of women that surround me and the one that surrounds you.
