The Watering Whole

posted on June 8, 2018

The Resilient Woman

Hello friends! Welcome back to my blog site called The Watering W(h)ole. Half the year is almost passed and I have been thinking of another topic I believe warrants our attention. Courage, tenacity, and persistence have been the underlying thought of this next theme I want to share with you all.

Now, I have not totally abandoned my regularly shared health and wellness posts highlighting my transition to a healthier lifestyle but will revisit once this segment is complete.

So what is it that you are describing? Before I so boldly share in-depth with you the theme, let me kinda describe to you my motivation. Over the years I have often wondered about the topic concerning what it means to be a strong woman? Viewing strictly from an open mind I could only make a response based on observing how my mother handled life.

Life for her was in the baby boomer age and involved raising two boys alone. I could only tell you that we always had a roof over our head, clothes on our back, and food to eat. This was all I saw on the surface but never knew the depth of what she really had to endure. Being a woman of color, she undoubtedly had to endure social and economic barriers.

Thankfully she never let those challenges discourage her from pressing on to provide for her family.

That being said, she has been the inspiration behind the segment “The Resilient Woman”

I am in no way an expert on who or what encompasses a Resilient Woman so I have to ask for help. I have requested input on the topic from several women. The women come from various ethnic backgrounds, economic status, and age groups. Through a series of interview questions, each will share their perspective on what encompasses the Resilient Woman.

My hope is that we all are better educated and well-informed on the Strong and Resilient woman.

My first guest is originally from Canada but now resides in the United States.

Meet Heather Spindler.

Heather is the oldest of three sisters who has trooped through life successfully. Other than dealing with personal challenges, she has progressed as an example to her younger siblings, by pursuing higher education at the college “The Ohio State University”. After graduating she was hired full-time as a pre-certification representative and has progressed to the current position as manager. In her spare time, she enjoys bike riding and walks in the park.

Heather,

1. What is your definition of a strong woman?  My definition of a strong woman is one that is able to take care of herself and those around her (depending on her life situation), while also being able to identify when she needs to ask for help or get assistance.  She is also one who continues to learn new things and is willing to teach others the strengths that she possesses.
2. A resilient woman possesses these qualities. Explain.  Determination, flexibility and a willingness to step out of her comfort zone.  I am a firm believer that if you stay in your comfort zone, you will miss out on experiencing new things and learning new skills.  Having said that, if you aren’t able to be flexible in situations, you will find yourself stuck in a rut or put in a box by those that you know.  Finally, a determination will help you attain goals that you have set for yourself and might be the one thing that gets you through a hard situation.  Stick with it – you will see results!  

3. 

   Could you name a few situations that highlight or showcase the resilient women in action?    I admire women who have been single parents and successfully raise their children to be successful citizens.  There is so much we don’t know that she has encountered and overcome.  I also see successful women in the workplace.  Ones that have not only become valuable employees but have mentored others to follow their lead.  I have the privilege of working for such a woman.  She is constantly learning new skills but takes the time to teach those things to those that work under her.  She makes us better employees. 
4. What barriers if any may a resilient woman encounter?  I feel that sometimes a resilient woman may be looked at as being too strong or independent.  The skills that allow her to meet the needs of her life could seem to others are standoffish or as if she doesn’t need anyone.  Nothing could be further than the truth – we all need those around us.

   

5. Is society recognizing the resilient women today and if so how?  I think that society is starting to recognize these women, but there is still room for improvement.  I think it is the responsibility of each of us to find these women and honor them.  Mentoring is so important and what better way could we honor those that we have learned from than to pass that legacy on to others?
6. Who is your example of a strong woman? If more, its ok to share that too.  My grandmother was one of the most resilient women I know.  Early in her married life, her husband and young son passed away, leaving her to raise two children on her own.  She was a proud woman, but knew when she needed help and sought out that help.  Although she did not have much herself, she met the needs of her children and those around her that were worse off than she was.  She had a deep faith in God and brought up her children to honor God.  I know that some of the qualities that I possess are a direct result of what I learned from her.  She was willing to pass along those life lessons she learned to her children and grandchildren.
7. Do you feel there are limits to being a strong woman?  I think that sometimes others put qualities onto a strong woman that may not be true.  They may think that when she is determined or stepping out on her own that she is unwilling to learn from others or has a “know it all” attitude.  Or that because she is strong she can’t also be vulnerable or feeling.  It’s so important that you get to know her, to know what is important to her or what she may need.
8. If you could help guide someone to being a strong woman how would you help them?  I would encourage one to find a woman that personifies the qualities that you find important and be willing to learn from them.  You have to be willing to hear that a decision that you made might not have been the right one, but what is important is how you respond to those situations.  Know that you aren’t going to get it right every time, but learning from those situations will help you in your future decisions and how you respond can be so important.

Thank you, Heather, for participating and sharing your thoughts on the Resilient Woman.

Stay tuned for next week’s guest.