For we Gen X women, the name Liz Carpenter is not a name we recognize, but we should. She was the
OG of a woman’s advocate, and the first of so many things. Her story from a small town in Texas, to the
Press Secretary for Ladybird Johnson (who, frankly was also a very cool chick!), to the ERA, and then a
women’s advocate until she died in 2010, was inspiring! Well known for her boisterous spirit, her
absolute power in reading the room and her ability to tell a story for and with the press is aspirational.
Catch her on PBS for the story called “Shaking it up, the life and times of Liz Carpenter.”
I tell you about Liz, because we all think we are living in unprecedented times, because it’s happening to
us. But every age has its unprecedented times, and this documentary was a reminder of that. As women,
it hurts us greatly to see others in pain, especially other women, children and animals. As women,
witnessing vitriol and anger sends us into overdrive to fix, heal and solve. As women, seeing bullies
getting away with it, brings out the Mama Bear in us to protect our own. As women, seeing a wrong
brings out the nurture and love in our hearts to try and make it right. As women, when we are
authentically in our feminine strength, community, harmony and joy is everything, and anything outside
of that requires us to suppress our nature.
I tell you all this to inspire you to relax and get internally strong. I have had a knot in my stomach for
several weeks now, watching the hard fought protections for women, children, the elderly and
minorities get striped away. What’s worse is witnessing the perpetrators of this do it with glee. Actually
fist pumping glee to see other people and children suffer. It hurts my heart and soul, to see such reckless
cruelty. So what is the answer? Work on your freedom.
Freedom is being emotionally free, being spiritually free, being physically free and being financially free.
Emotionally free is figuring out your values and beliefs and letting the rest be. As the infamous Mel
Robbins talks about widely now, it’s the “Let Them Theory”, in practice.
Spiritually free is standing firm in your grounding beliefs of your place in the greater world and universe.
All religions and spiritual practices call it differently, but it boils down to a oneness and rejoining the
whole again, whether that is heaven, the source, or mother earth. And all the rules are the same on how
to get there – be a good person and be nice to your fellow humans, now.
Physically free is getting your act together in keeping your body machine running smoothly. Stop the
excuses. Put good food/fuel in, move those muscles and find better ways to deal with anxiety other than
pills, booze or the TV. Dependency on doctors and pharmacies is not the road to be free.
Financially free is taking stock of what you have and matching your lifestyle to it. Full stop.
As women, spend time finding and being authentically you. Stand firm in your own grace. Stand firm in
your patience so you know when it’s time to act, rather than react. Find your center and stand tall.
Exercise your natural gifts to love, nurture and hold space for others. Be bold if that is your nature. Be
soft if that is your nature. Radiate! Absolutely radiate your power! And, work on being free.