The Power Within Us-Guest Post: Shelbee On The Edge and a Linkup

**I’m on vacation from August 25th-September 9th, check out today’s guest post by Shelbee On the Edge!

Hello, everyone! I am Michelle of Shelbee on the Edge and I am filling in today for Monica while she is off visiting family in Poland. In case you are not familiar with me, I am a stay-at-home mother of two, an Army wife, a passionate scholar, and a lover of words with a driving desire to help others in the pursuit of becoming the best possible versions of themselves. With a background that includes coaching, mental health counseling, philosophy, English, and law, I strive to reach people by sharing my personal stories of struggles and successes. By always keeping it raw and genuine, I reach my readers on a level that is real and comforting, always accepting and never judgmental. And as a lover of fashion, I have discovered so many ways to express myself and my personal style through my clothing. If this sounds like a combination that interests you, I would love for you stop by and check out my blog!

When Monica asked me to guest post on her blog, I did not hesitate to agree. And it was this request that was the catalyst that led to our meeting in person. I am so honored to not only call Monica my great blogging friend, but also to call her a dear real life friend as well. When I sat down to brainstorm what topic to address for this post, I was tempted to just write a style post, but the universe kept pulling me back to the idea of women empowering women. Because this way of life is very much true to the way that both Monica and I live…on our blogs and in real life. So I really had no choice but to explore the topic further because when the universe sends you an idea, you really should just go with it. I just hope I make Monica proud!

The Power Within Us

Strong women have existed in this world for all of eternity…so I have no idea why we often feel so powerless. Our power lies within us and always has. Yes, there have been people, men and women alike, who have tried to make us think otherwise. Feel less than we are. Believe that we are weaker than they. Not as smart. Not as capable. Not as adept or resilient. But all of us hold within our souls, within our very beings, every strength and quality that leads to power. We just need to become aware of it, believe it, and tap into it. Once we have recognized the qualities within ourselves that equate to strength that is when we can begin to harness our own power…and use it for the good of all humankind.

Roseanne Barr once said, “The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it.” And the reason you can just take it is because you already have it. The one thing we do need to acknowledge, however, is that we all have different types of powers. While you may not be strong at one thing, you are strong at something else. And there is no point in feeling jealous of the powers of another. Instead, recognize your own powers and share them with those who need it. The result will be everyone empowering each other by sharing our strengths with those who need them.

Golda Meir said, “Whether women are better than men I cannot say-but I can say they are certainly no worse.” And this is exactly why I am going to shift gears from women empowering to women to people empowering each other regardless of gender or any other physical quality for that matter. We are all better than someone else at something. And we are all worse than others at other things. Therefore, we all kind of need each other to get through this crazy life. Mutual support and empowerment among the human race is where it’s at.

The truth of the matter is this: Behind every successful man, there is a woman. Or a man. And behind every successful woman, there is a man. Or a woman. Behind every successful person, there is a network of supportive people who uplift them, encourage them, empower them, and drive them to be the absolute best versions of themselves that they can possibly be. And it naturally occurs that the larger and more extensive the network of support becomes, the stronger and more powerful the person becomes. Now imagine if that network connected us all…each supporting the others and sharing our own strengths and knowledge… what do you think the end result of a world like that would be?

I hope I inspired you to think deeper and identify your own strengths. Then go forth into the world and share your power!

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee
Shelbee on the Edge