Happy International Women's Day! This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #PressforProgress, specifically progress in gender parity (equal status and/or pay)I want to focus mainly on pressing for progress in YOUR life first. Often, women, especially Super Wonder Women, put the plight and concerns of others before themselves. They fight for causes instead of fighting for their own well-being and peace of mind. What areas of your life do you forward movement? What tools do you need to propel you?Inspiration, motivation and accountability are the fuel and spark that can propel you to your greatness and living on purpose and with passion. Today I celebrate 2 women who have provided that for me.
1. Inspiration
I love reading and exploring to expand my mind. When I do, I learn about people and concepts that I didn’t know existed which in turn, inspires me to open my mind and expand my world. One such inspiration is Dr. Rebecca Davis-Crumpler. She is the first African-American female physician in the United States. She graduated from The New England Female Medical College located in Boston, MA in 1864. Dr. Crumpler was the first and ONLY African-American to graduate from this institution. At the time of her graduation, there were only 300 female physicians in the country out of over 54,000 physicians total. She practiced at a time when men thought women lacked the physical strength to practice medicine and were incapable of learning and mastering a medical curriculum. In the midst of adversity, racism and naysayers, she prevailed and practiced medicine for many years, as well as published, “A Book of Medical Discourses in Two Parts”.
Take home point: Seek those who are doing what you can only imagine and let that inspiration transform your life to a waking dream.
2. Motivation
Per Oxford’s dictionary motivation is
My journey to providing simple and natural strategies to people so that they can be happier, healthier and live in harmony was motivated by my God-mother Yemi, Bates-Jones. She was an herbalist and natural healer that taught me how to view plants and food as healing technology and how to use and respect their power. Prior to connecting with her, I only knew what I read in books and how to incorporate supplements. Miss Yemi broke it down to the fundamental essence of the plant and/or food item that it became simple. It shifted my mindset so that I viewed my kitchen and what was growing around me in a very different way. I saw that I had the power within me to enhance my wellness, elevate my mind and be happier with assistance from Mother Nature. What an awesome gift that I now have the honor of sharing with others and help them #pressforprogress on their journey for well-being and balance.To move forward and #pressforprogress requires accountability. Accountability is a willingness to accept responsibility for your word, commitment and actions. Mentors, coaches and my true-blue friends have held me accountable and I thank them for that. They have told me the truth in love, reminded me of my commitment and pressed me to keep going when I wanted to throw my hands up and forget it all! Accountability partners will add lighter fluid when your fire is a dim ember.
Is that you? Do you need a support system to fan the flames of your embers and re-ignite the vibrancy and tranquility in your life? Do you need accountability,and a strategy. Let’s do it together. www.freelifestrategy.com to schedule your 15-minute complimentary session and begin the process of creating your blueprint to balance.
See you then!
Yours in Health and Harmony,
Dr. Michelle Clay is a speaker, best-selling author & Holistic Physician specializing in the release and management of stress and its associated symptoms simply and naturally. Through her company FREELIFE7, Dr. Michelle enhances lives by harmonizing all dimensions of wellness through wellness coaching programs, workshops and speaking engagements to help stressed out and burned out high achievers, leaders and exhausted executives discover their sense of balance, calm, clarity and confidence to live a FREELIFE on purpose with passion. She is frequently called upon to give a refreshing holistic perspective on ways to release stress, recharge health and shift mindset for wellness success.