At the beginning of this year, one of the intentions I set was to find communities of women who had similar interests to my own: entrepreneurship, creative expression, and spirituality.
With whatever you do, it’s important to find your tribe. When you’re on your journey, you are going to need support, inspiration, and an occasional kick in the ass.
What is a tribe?
A tribe is a community where you can belong, but also freely stand out.
A place where you are the sole proprietor of your identity and no one forces you to be as they are, rather, your tribe encourages you to explore the uniqueness that is you.
Your tribe respects your right to self determination.
Your tribe understands the pitfalls, plateaus and triumphs of this journey.
They know that the struggle is real to pursue your dreams and hustle hard.
They will care for you when you are wounded and take up arms to defend you.
Your tribe is a place you can call home anywhere in the world.
You will know when you have found your tribe because your presence will be welcomed with excitement.
You will be heard. They will listen eagerly with concern and wonder, but not judgement.
You will never have to question if your back is supported.
They are the ones who are there.
The ones who provide consistent positivity, humorous quips, honesty, and most important, love.
They are your mothers, sisters, aunties, cousins, advisors, investors, and whatever you need them to be in any given moment.
The ones who will go down in the trenches with you, but also extend a hand to lift you up.
The ones that see you drifting out to sea and throw you an anchor.
The ones who get it without an explanation.
The ones who burst into side-splitting laughter with you about nothing and everything.
The ones who cut your pity party short and help you reframe your perspective.
The ones who buy your first product.
The ones who are the last to leave your home after an event.
I want to give a shout out to three sisters in my tribe.
Renata, chief designer and founder of Renata Philippe. Quirky, raw, inventive, ace. Check out Renata’s latest design at http://teespring.com/mindbodysoul2014. 10% of the proceeds go to Airman’s Attic on Andrews Air Force Base to support military families in need. Watch Renata's interview here.
Thendo, founder of ByTepsi. Master inquisitor (although her hubby is the lawyer), humorous quipper, honest, mama of three warrior children. Check out bytepsi.com and like her Facebook page.
Last, but certainly not least. Sylva, author of The B Sides (purchase here). Visionary, adventurer, poet. Sylva also specializes in tarot reading and is Reiki practitioner.
Do you have tribe? Tell me about them in the comments.