Female Friendships and Shine Theory

Last week was Mother's Day. I got to spend Mother's Day leading a flow and yin class and then fishing and hiking for the rest of the day with my family. It was wonderful and nourishing to my spirit. I love spending time hiking and having my kids there splashing around in the icy water at DuPont made it all the better. We all went home happy and tired and hungry.

Mother's Day always brings to mind my own mom and grandma of course. But, it also brings up the beautiful female friendships that have blossomed for me over the years. Women are often subtly told to view each other as competition be it competition over a relationship or job or an accomplishment. Books, television, and movies often give the quiet message that we're all engaged in a quiet competition. That there can never be enough jobs or marriages or awards, and if one of your female friends is getting married or writing a book, well, then that means you need to hurry up and elbow her out of the way.

While I certainly have had to deal with feelings of jealousy over the years, I am looking at things through a different framework now: abundance over scarcity. The more that I am grateful for what I have in my life and grateful for my friends and their gifts, the more will come to me.

I have friends who are amazing potters, photographers, and writers. I have friends who homeschool their children brilliantly, and I have friends who grow and arrange flowers with tenderness and thoughtfulness. To have friends like this is a gift. It is a gift to see them shine.

Aminatow Sow and Ann Friedman coined Shine Theory and have noted, "I don't shine if you don't shine." When I see my friends do great things whether it be teaching children to read in innovative ways, trying a new sport, or making sourdough from scratch. It inspires me to always try my best. It inspires me to learn something new. It inspires me to shine.

So, to my female friends far and wide, keep on shining.