Hello my friends at It’s Raining Books! My gracious hosts have asked that I share a handful of things that you would probably NEVER guess about me. Oh what fun… Here we go!
1. My Empty Nest story was foiled!
Part of the inspiration of my book Lady and the Tribe, How to Create Empowering Friendship Circles was the fact that after spending almost 20 years raising my kids, when I realized their “flying the coop” was eminent I freaked out! Who was I going to be without my role… my identity… as MOM? With some soul searching, I finally came to not only accept, but look forward to my own next chapter as an empty nester. I was scheduled to launch my youngest off to college in the fall of 2020, which I did, however in the Spring of 2020 my oldest had to put his acting career on hold due to COVID. He moved back to Colorado from NYC in March and is still here! Maybe I will be able to figure out what Empty Nesting really is early in 2022.
2. Competed in a pageant for the first time at age 52… WHAT?
Truth can be stranger than fiction, right? I have never been a cheerleader or anything like that and sure NEVER considered being a contestant in a pageant. When it was first suggested to me, I laughed out loud. I thought, oh my gosh, that is not ME! What would people think? No, I do not think of myself as a beauty queen, and I don’t walk with grace in an evening gown and heels. Believe it or Not, I don’t even have a plan for World Peace. So, I am totally unqualified! But as I considered it a bit more, I thought of a few things I DO have.
• First, I DO love to challenge myself. Usually, it involves earning top producer for something, climbing a mountain, jumping off a cliff or conquering that wretched Incline! I expect a journey of this nature will certainly be challenging both mentally and physically!
• Secondly, I DO want to launch the next chapter of my life in a memorable way. A little re-inventing and becoming the best version of myself was a great kick start for the next chapter.
• Lastly I DO have a great love for my community, I am super proud to be an ambassador for the Carbon Valley area. So, as I thought thru it, I thought, what the heck, why not? Do something CRAZY! Step out of your comfort zone and possibly make a difference in some small way. Be a messenger of community, connection, good-will, service and do it with a little BLING!
3. Hiked 8 - 14’ers including the treacherous Longs Peak.
What is a 14’er you may ask? A 14’er, sometimes written out “fourteener” is a mountain that is over 14,000 feet tall. My first was Longs Peak which is a 14,259 ft. behemoth and one of the most coveted peaks in Colorado. An average of 15,000 hikers attempt to summit Longs Peak each year despite the fact it is one of the toughest 14ers. Less than 50% of those who start the hike are able to complete it. 14’ers are tough mind over matter adventures. I’ve got the bug to complete at least ten so my work is not done yet.
4. One summer I went on tour singing in cathedrals throughout Europe
In high school I was selected for a touring choir that allowed me to travel abroad and visit amazing places and sing in beautiful cathedrals. Our group sang “God Bless America” at the top of the Eiffel Tower on the 4th of July. I am grateful for the opportunity, and I will never forget it.
5. I wrote Lady and the Tribe in 10 weeks
Once inspired; I outlined my thoughts (really, just a list of about fourteen topics I wanted to cover), I purchased a laptop so I could write in a more creative space than my office, and I started writing. My fingers could hardly keep up with my mind as I shared my story, research, and the blueprint for building meaningful friendships and cultivating a Tribe of your own. I did not experience the dreaded “writers block” even once. I attribute that to the fact that I am truly enthusiastic about this topic and helping women connect and become whole through friendships.
Thank you for the opportunity!
Wives, mothers, and career women—we have all fallen victim to the silent epidemic that is, literally . . . letting ourselves go. Not the makeup free, yoga pants, weight gain routine. Little by little, we have allowed our preferences, interests, and individuality to slip away until we no longer recognize ourselves outside of our role as wives, mothers, or professionals. Who we are has become what we do.
In the process, our friendships have become the casualty of a “busy life” and lack consistency and depth. We have a gaping hole inside us that longs to be filled. How do we reclaim who we really are and fill this empty space that seemed to appear from nowhere? The answer lies in our Tribe. Our best friends see us more clearly than we see ourselves and are representations and extensions of our individuality. They are our companions, cheerleaders, and counselors—always in our corner. They are the branches of our tree of life that lift and support us, so we can flourish. Our Tribe is the family with whom we choose to live our life . . . with no strings attached.
Lady and the Tribe is a blueprint for building deep connections. As you read, you’ll be swept away on a journey of friendship as the author shares her own personal stories and those of other women. In the process, you’ll discover how to find, nurture, and deepen friendships and create a Tribe culture that is unique to you.
We can become whole again through the power of connection.
When three or more gather, we are Tribe.
Read an Excerpt
The Tribe
Traditionally, a Tribe is a social division in society consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties. Some Tribes have a common culture and dialect, and typically they have a recognized leader. A customary Tribe is a face-to-face community, relatively bound by kinship relations, reciprocal exchange, and strong ties to place.
The term Tribe should be utilized only with great respect and consideration of its origins. It is with the term’s heritage in mind that I aspire to create that culture with my closest friends. This social division, group, or pack are linked by common social patterns, interests, and sometimes, goals. As the group connects together over time, they establish the Tribe’s personality, lingo, patterns, and rituals.
Your Tribal space feels like home when you arrive. It is safe, encouraging and makes you feel relevant because you are truly seen. Your Tribe cares about your opinions and what you have to say. They are proud of your talents and strengths and are not threatened by your success. Your Tribe will promote rather than ignore or diminish your wins. Although these close friends can be a great influence for you to be better and do better, there is no contest; you do not feel competitive with one another. The experience of finding your Tribe can be life changing. It becomes a mirror reaffirming who you are and where you belong.
About the Author:
To connect with Brenda, visit her website at http://www.BrendaRidgley.com.
Invite Brenda to speak at your next event: mailto:brenda@brendaridgley.com.
Order: Lady and the Tribe - https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Tribe-Empowering-Friendship-Circles/dp/1737289709
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Podcast: @TheConnectionConnoisseur - https://www.podserve.fm/series/website/the-connection-connoisseur,3341
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Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great questions and for featuring Lady and the Tribe today! I am available for a chat & questions!
ReplyDeleteI liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteRita thanks so much!!
Delete10 weeks! Not too bad :D
ReplyDeleteAnd yesss the excerpt was a good one.
Thank you Carole Rae! I am proud of that 10 weeks because it was in no way a rush-job but manifested from a place of joy, creativity, and drive to get this information out to women.
DeleteThis could be very useful.
ReplyDeleteI really like the cover and the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the guest post.
ReplyDelete