brave women

i am surrounded by incredibly courageous women. they are my sources of inspiration.

this afternoon, our now-all-woman management team spent a few hours together working through difficult agency challenges. they spoke passionately about their values; they brought many fresh ideas to the table. these women, all very different, possess a deep commitment to others and to each other that i admire.

then this evening, i visited a dear childhood friend in the hospital. her pregnancy has complications, and all she knows for sure is that she must stay at the hospital until she delivers (her due date is still 10 weeks away). from moment to moment, she doesn't know what is happening to her body or the baby - and it's really scary. but despite how scared she must've been feeling inside, she was in good spirits and making jokes. she displays a gracefulness and strength i admire.

i visited her with another dear friend of mine who is also in the midst of a significant transition. she is moving to a new city to pursue a future she still doesn't see (or necessarily want). all she knows is that God once called her to medical school, and for four years she's followed that calling. she demonstrates a faith and persistence i admire.

while at the hospital, i received a TM from yet another dear friend who is also struggling through personal challenges. this woman rarely receives credit or appreciation for what she does, yet she continuously gives tirelessly to the people around her. she abandons no one, helping to carry many burdens. she has within her a deep well of compassion and devotion i admire.

women are incredible creations. they are beautiful, intelligent, creative, compassionate, devoted, graceful, strong, faithful, persistent, lovely creatures. they shoulder pain in the most amazing and redemptive ways. and i am enormously inspired by those around me.