The Tribe of Sisterhood

I just got back from a girls getaway and I have so many thoughts to share.  Its so important to have a support group that you can be real with.  Not only is this a time to vent and get sympathy but also see yourself in a different and refreshing light.  And when you get a tribe of women together that are real with each other, be prepared to learn something about how to cope and thrive.
On our trip, I think the first hurdle was to let go of all the stress in our lives so that we could have fun.  The stress release required frantic phone calls and strenuous exercise in the mornings.  Then it was well-deserved play time.  It is so important to give yourself a break from all the things you worry about.  As single parents it is difficult not to worry about finances, our kids education, and our relationships.  But we need to  find moments in our lives when we can turn off the inner voice and relax and have fun.
You know you have an empowering group of sisters when you can  tell eachother about about your struggles as moms and as significant others and about how you feel about your bodies.
During our coffee clutch one morning, it was a poignant moment when we started taking pictures together and we promised not to post anything unless everyone liked the picture.  So many negative thoughts about personal image came up from all of us.  We shook our heads, not that picture because we looked horrible, fat, ghastly, ugly.   And we really had to look hard at why we were all so negative about ourselves.  I truly believe that humans need to be around other humans...we are social creatures.  It is revealing and affirming to see our reflection through a friends eyes, to hear how beautiful we are inside and out and why we are thought to be beautiful.
After affirmations from friends, we brainstormed on how to turn off these negative thoughts.  One friend said that she learned that the first step is to catch yourself having a negative thought, then overzealous praise should immediately happen  for catching that thought at that moment). Then distract yourself from that thought immediately: think of something else, do something else, or notice something that will take your mind off of your negative thought.    Once it becomes a habit, negative thoughts diminish. It was a great free therapy session!
In our crazy stressful worlds, do not forget girl time.  It is fun, affirming and empowering.    Peace