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<\/p>\nToday is International Women’s Day. A day to honour and pay tribute to women all over the world. Women who are breaking down walls, breaking through barriers.\u00a0 It’s about equality.\u00a0 It’s about accomplishments.<\/p>\n
But what does it mean to YOU?<\/p>\n
I think it’s a day to celebrate women and to think about the women in our lives who impact our lives individually. Who has made a difference to you? Who has made a positive impact on your life?<\/p>\n
I feel pretty lucky to have so many amazing women in my life.\u00a0 Who you surround yourself with matters.\u00a0 People we spend the most time with shape us.\u00a0 I give credit to my mom for helping to shape me into the woman I am today. Even though she’s been gone 28 years, I know that my strengths, my sense of humour, my love for family and music, and so much more come from her.\u00a0 My mother shaped me.\u00a0 She taught me to believe in myself.\u00a0 She gave me the confidence to be me.\u00a0 She taught me through her own actions not to let anybody walk on you or put you down. Stand up for yourself.\u00a0 \u00a0She never told me I was perfect or let me believe I was better than anyone else.\u00a0 Laughter was important. Being able to laugh at yourself first and foremost. I am so thankful for that.<\/p>\n
My nana encouraged me in so many ways.\u00a0 I remember her buying me a pair of leather pants once and I kept those hanging in the closet for the longest time.\u00a0 Not ever believing I could pull that off.\u00a0 But knowing she believed I could.\u00a0 She embraced and encouraged my inner wild child.<\/p>\n
Yes, I have been so lucky in my life to have been loved unconditionally by some amazing women.\u00a0 Each person has given me something and taught me in a unique way.\u00a0 I have felt loved, encouraged, inspired, and motivated. I have had women cheer me on, women who I have cried ugly tears with, women who have given me hard and painful truths.\u00a0 I am thankful for all of it.<\/p>\n
There are a few women I would love to have the chance to meet. To have a sit down conversation with.\u00a0 I know I would be so nervous, but to sit around a table with Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Shania Twain, Julia Roberts, Michelle Obama, P!nk.\u00a0 I think that would be pretty awesome. I admire them all so much for many different reasons. They bring kindness, honesty, humour, integrity, and so much heart into the world.\u00a0 Who would you like to meet?\u00a0 To sit with.\u00a0 One on one?<\/p>\n
One of my favourite songs is by country singer Shania Twain.\u00a0 Today Is Your Day.\u00a0 It was a comeback song for her after going through a very public, very nasty divorce and even losing her voice and ability to sing in the process.\u00a0 She was devastated by betrayal of a close friend.\u00a0 She broke down.\u00a0 She lost who she was.\u00a0 And then she built herself back up in a big way.\u00a0 She started writing on her own.\u00a0 She shared her struggles in a show on the Oprah network.\u00a0 She shared openly and honestly how broken she felt and what she did to build herself back up.<\/p>\n
This song was what came from that experience and it’s one of my favourites because it’s a reminder to all of us – no matter what we have been through or what we may be going through – we can do hard things.\u00a0 Just don’t quit on yourself. Don’t stop believing in yourself.\u00a0 You are worthy.\u00a0 Don’t stop dreaming.\u00a0 No matter how hard life gets or how many times you get knocked down – you can do all things.<\/p>\n
To all the women today – don’t ever let anyone dull your light. Don’t ever believe you have nothing to offer.\u00a0 Don’t ever believe you aren’t worthy.\u00a0 Don’t ever believe you aren’t good enough or pretty enough or smart enough or funny enough.\u00a0 Don’t ever let anybody else make you think you are less than you are.<\/p>\n
You are perfect just the way you are.<\/p>\n
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It has taken me a lot of years to get comfortable with that logic.\u00a0 To believe in myself and who I am.\u00a0 Women need to be encouragers.\u00a0 We need to lift and build each other up.<\/p>\n
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