The Watering Whole

Posted by November 25, 2018

Welcome back! I hope you find this site enlightening and refreshing as the title implies. If you are here, you’re in for a treat.

I would like to introduce you to the Resilient Woman series. The guests have been absolutely fabulous. To catch up on why the series was even started, click this.

This weeks guest can be described in a word…courageous! Although battling introvert tendencies and daring to speak openly concerning culture, this never stopped her from the goal of sharing and informing the World. Meet Anna, my friend.

TWH- Hi Anna! Hope all is well. Can you share a bit about yourself and your mission?

Hello, I’m Anna!  I’m from the Midwest, married, and a mom to 2 amazing children with the biggest hearts in the world. I’m also a true introvert, but learning to break that shell little by little, hence the very recent re-brand of the blog to what it is now. I share my journey of building this through my blog. 

I write about Autism parenting, the good and the bad. I am Hmong, which is an ethnic group of SE Asia and I write about culture, the good and the bad. My blogs are personal views and may hit “touchy” subjects that the (Hmong) community doesn’t talk about. Each category or topic coincides with each other. Yes, in the beginning, I used an undercover name to protect the people I care about so I never had a profile attached to it. 

I just want to end this with a huge “Thank You” to Al for even considering me to do this, I’m truly grateful. It was totally unexpected! 

TWH– No problem whatsoever! Really appreciative of you willing to share your experience.

So Anna…

TWH-What is your definition of a strong woman?

A woman who can hold her ground, one who practices what she preaches, and comes back stronger every time she has reached failure. This woman is self-aware and has high emotional intelligence. She breaks the status-quo. 

TWH-A Resilient Woman possesses these qualities. Explain. 

There so many, but here’s the top three on my list.

Self-Awareness – having high emotional intelligence; knowing what she needs, what she doesn’t, and when it’s time to ask for help

Respect – showing kindness, she knows her worth and the worth of others

Consistency – her words and action follows through

TWH-Could you name a few situations that highlight or showcase a Resilient Woman in action?

Not just a situation, but a whole movement. The Women’s Rights Movement from 1848 – 1920. It didn’t include just women in action, but men too, however, the common cause for this movement is extremely powerful to me. It took almost a century of protesting to get this ratified. Women being able to vote has only existed for 98 years. It seems like a big number, but it really hasn’t been that long.

TWH-What barriers if any may a Resilient Woman encounter?

The number one barrier every woman will face is herself. I still struggle with this daily. How do you talk to yourself when you’re under pressure? How do you feel in your own skin? Your mentality, being in the present and embracing what is in front of you matters on how you carry yourself to break patterns.

If you look at the way you encourage a friend through their hardships, that’s “exactly” how you should be encouraging yourself to reach your potential. Culture; the way you were raised, what you’re accustomed to, and your beliefs, are all factors to the barrier. Sometimes to get to the next level, you must experience things you’re uncomfortable with.

TWH-Is society recognizing the Resilient Women today and if so how?

Yes, in some areas they are, however, I still feel in certain areas that we have a long way to go especially amongst the Corporate world or any Leadership position. They want to embrace diversity, they advocate equality, yet they’re still reluctant to give Women that opportunity to lead. 

TWH-Who is your example of a strong woman? If more, its ok to share that too.

Everyone has a story to tell, but one that touches me the most are the women and girls who have been and are still going through a genocide of their people. 

It makes me think of my Mom during the Vietnam War. She had to flee from the only home she’s ever known with 2 children in her arms. That’s a whole story itself, but women who live through the horror, surviving war zone, and the strength to do whatever it takes to keep their Life.

TWH-Do you feel there are limits to being a strong woman?
Yes, absolutely there are limits. This goes together with having self-awareness. A woman should learn to be aware of her limits and not be afraid to fail or ask for help. It’s not about the number of times you fail, but how you accept the failure and get yourself to try again. 

TWH-If you could help guide someone to being a strong woman how would you help them?

I’d start off by listening. Everyone has a story to tell. What she’s going through at that moment, the journey on how she got here, and what keeps her moving forward.

I’d hope to bring value to her, find common ground, and offer words of encouragement to never stop fighting towards her passion. 

My superpower is helping people in any way I possibly can. Always be yourself.

Well said, Anna. Thanks again for participating in this series. Your thoughts are certainly enlightening and your courage to speak out and inform can definitely be seen.

There you go, my friend. Words of encouragement spoken by another sincere example of courage, tenacity, and perseverance.

Anna is on a mission of which she shares on social media. You can connect with her through these platforms below.

Twitter – Anna MV @anunusualpath

Instagram – www.Instagram.com/anunusualpath

Pinterest- https://www.pinterest.com/AnUnusualPath/

Blog/website – https://anunusualpath.com

Pics: Courtesy of Anna