Balance--Resilience--Faith @sarahsajohnson

"She is clothed in strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future." Proverbs 31:25 We are given opportunities in life to learn from one another, and many times it is so easy to miss lessons right in front of us. Today, I am grateful for an interaction from the weekend that has impacted me on deep levels, and it comes from the humility of learning about someone's beautiful burden. My lips grew numb from the level of shock I sustained when I realized that back in Feb. 2016, this woman had been nearly two years into the storm, and I had no idea. I never took the time to learn about her. Never interacted with her in a way that would allow for me to see her as the person and not just the tech expert helping our staff.  I missed an opportunity to see what was right in front of me in a beautiful, strong, serving soul. So, I am honoring Naomi Harm today in this post for her strength, class, determination, and her heart. For her ability to get it done despite

Lately I have been thinking a lot about my female PLN members. Specifically, I have been sitting in gratitude for the impactful collaboration, support, and friendships I have gained over the past few years that have literally helped me transform. Through my connections with these women, I have grown in reflection, felt stronger in purpose, and have acted intentionally to pursue my passionate purpose. But there is something else there nagging at me a bit. Over the years of my life, I have encountered dynamic engagements that absolutely lift me up, yet there have been plenty that have hurt. And I hear many voices of my colleagues who are hurt. In this space of women in leadership, I am going to be spending a lot of time reflecting, writing, and honestly leading. Because I believe wholeheartedly in supporting my fellow women in their pursuits to live out their passionate purpose. Here is an interesting read on females and competition. I am not saying I agree or disagree with all

"This is the sound of surviving. This is my farewell to fear. This is my whole heart deciding I'm still here, and I'm not done fighting. This is the sound of surviving."--Nichole Norderman Surviving. Sometimes it really is enough and all we are asked to do. Don't get me wrong, I am the last person who wants to merely survive. I want to thrive! A life mantra of mine derives from Maya Angelou's quote on the subject in fact. However, this weekend I was reminded that surviving is a sign of strength. Resilience. Perseverance. To provide some context to readers who do not know this fact about me: I am a survivor of  loss from suicide. I said it. A survivor. In this space, I do not thrive. Regardless of how hard I try, I simply cannot. My brother completed a suicide in December 2014, and friends, it feels like yesterday. And never as some days I can ignore it happened. And then like today as if the reality is punching me in the gut again. The swell of emotions