She’s Got Your Back…

by debbie on March 7, 2010

“If you see a woman going for it, you jump in there and help her!” – Marianne Williamson

Helloooooo, all of you angels out there…

And, welcome to you joining The Spark! after I met you at events last week in Los Angeles and those of you in Michigan from seeing Woman on Fire M.E. Jones on the cover of Women2Women Magazine.  I am so happy you’re here.

Last week I feel I barely surfaced for air!

We are at work on plans for the upcoming Women on Fire Retreat with Stedman Graham and Janette Barber in Chicago April 23-24, 2010, and I am so excited I can barely contain myself.  From your emails and calls, I know many of you have registered or are planning to – and nothing thrills me more.

Why?

Because the difference it makes when we gather together, share our lives and dreams, have fun and receive support is monumental and transformational.

Even if you’re shy, just being in the energy of so many inspiring, supportive women feels amazing.

Women on Fire was created on the foundation of The Big Three: inspiration, strategies and support.  Having these present in our lives transforms us so we can more easily and successfully move toward what we want.

And, the greatest of these three pillars is SUPPORT.  Think about all of the times you are working toward something big or important.  Or you were stuck in a transition or trapped by a horrible set of circumstances.

What was the “tipping point” that allowed you to succeed or make it through?

I bet it was the person who cheered you on; or the one who believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself; or the soul who jumped in beside you, offered you hope and substance, and stayed with you until you made it to the finish line.

Last week alone I witnessed the joy of how support can transform a woman’s life.

I don’t have to tell you how difficult these financial times and conditions are for many people right now.  And, there were two women wanting with all their hearts to travel to Chicago to attend the Women on Fire Retreat.

Both had faced and survived very tough times in the past year (job loss, divorce, foreclosure) and were short on funds. Yet, they were patching together what resources they had, while remaining positive, upbeat, full of life and with dreams “to go for it.”

All I did was put out the call.  The support for their $297 tuition from two generous women (one who had known divorce and the other bankruptcy) came through immediately.

It was just the “tipping point” and boost each woman needed to be able to attend!

The donors felt honored to give and the recipients were thrilled and grateful (with one saying she looked forward to returning the favor for another woman in the future).  I was ecstatic to see how our Women on Fire community continues to back each other with many different ways of support.

The late M. Scott Peck, M.D. opened his best-selling book The Road Less Traveled with these words: “Life is difficult.”

I prefer to believe when we gently place our hand on the back of another woman…life doesn’t have to be so hard.

See you in Chicago!

P.S. If you have a story of how you’ve received support from another Woman on Fire and how it affected you, I hope you will share her and it with us in the comments section below.  Your stories and experiences are sometimes the gentle supporting hand on the back our readers need.

  • jerrybrowning
    Women on Fire - Beginning with Debbie who voluntarily called me to coach me on how I could do the best job filling in for my boss in presentating to large group. That was in 1999 and many times since she has been a beacon for insight and strength. Then there's Jen Madson, whom I've still never met in person, yet she welcomes my phone calls and has given me advice for speaking to groups with specific financial needs. Another is Andrea Dowding who invited me to share in giving a presentation to a local group. Also as my coach Andrea has helped me with strength and direction. I love being a Woman on Fire and can't wait for our large gathering in Chicago.
  • 1118nickel
    WOF has sparked a fire with in me that I haven't felt in years! I am energized by the women I have connected with since I have read the book and the ones I had the pleasure of meeting at one of your famous NY tea parties. There is such a warmth about each of the women that I meet! I can't explain it, but it is like being hugged all the time. They are always reaching out and lifting each other up!!

    As you know Debbie my closest relationship since becoming a WOF has been with Melissa McClain of MelissaAnne Photography. It began as Melissa was traveling to her first Vision Day on Martha's Vineyard. I remember her posting on your Facebook page and I was so excited for her! We connected on that day and our relationship has flourished since then!! Even though she is in NY and I am in Florida we are always there for each other and we are never father than a Facebook post, Facebook chat, or phone call away!

    Thank you, thank you, thank you Debbie for being the Spark that ignites the fire with in each of us!!
  • karenskurka
    I was introduced to the Tea Parties by the lovely Jen Madson. What an inspiring woman--coach, author, entrepreneur, biker! If she was flying in form Colorado, it must be a special party. From the instant I met Debbie, I knew I had entered a new world, where women support each other unconditionally. I went on to develop new friendships with women like Holly. She's a talented, gorgeous soul with a talent to make all things beautiful. My life changed, my wardrobe changed, I feel connected to a special group!
    Debbie, let's bring the Tea Parties to the UK! We'll bring a new meaning to the Tea Party!!!
  • sophfroniascott
    From my very first tea party I've been impressed with how quickly a Woman on Fire will step in and ask, "What do you need? How can I help?" before I can even figure out to ask the question myself! Shannon McCaffery saw immediately that I was doing too much myself and offered her marketing expertise and services to help me plan my first live event for later this year. She also introduced me to an amazing VA who has already taken a load off my plate. I feel better, lighter as a result.

    And Debbie, you have been awesome coming on board and blessing my anthology, "How the Fierce Handle Fear", with your inspiring words in the book and your steadfast support in getting the word out about the book and the "Fearless Fridays" Telesummit. You set a wonderful example for what it means to be a Woman on Fire and how to share the flame, the light, with others. We can't help but follow your glorious lead. Thank you!
  • Oh, so many Women on Fire to acknowledge!! Mandy Pratt, for introducing me to Deb Phillips when I needed an expert on getting published. Debbie, for introducing me to the WOF tea parties - the support and love from that group was absolutely what got me to finish writing and publishing my book. Karen, Kelley, Jeannette, Holly, Allison, Debbie, Mandy, Jody - no matter how much time has passed since my last tea, I know that you will greet me at the next one as though it were yesterday, with all the warmth and enthusiasm of before. I carry your confidence with me always!
  • maphotog
    I'm in "transition" from old career to growing my photography and starting my own home design line. It's very exciting, but at times....yes, "Life is difficult".

    Last week I got lost in the difficulties. Out there on Facebook was the inspiring Andrea Hylen. Just being who she is and communicating from the positive inspired new thinking and a new attitude. She spoke of power (literally....plugging in her laptop), but it became a conversation about empowerment and sharing. She lifted my spirits and reminded me to focus on the possibilities for the future and to hold strong to my beliefs and my purpose.

    Andrea is on the West Coast. I'm on the East Coast. But, last week her arms stretched far and wide and her hand was definitely on my back. Thank you Andrea! Thank you Debbie for connecting us and for all the other amazing WOF whose hands have been at my back over the last year.
  • robinthughes
    When I went to Debbie's home on Martha's Vineyard to write my chapter for the Women on Fire book, I had the honor and great privilege of writing with Jacqueline Pimentel that day. She showed up full of energy and genuine acceptance. At a time when I categorized women as competitors, she refused to fit into any of the boxes and labels I had created. She brought fuzzy socks for us to wear while we wrote and I still wear them when I write today.
    Jacqueline - you are missed!
  • jennbajec
    Yes, there are lots of angels out there, and one that I am so fortunate to have is Patti Wynn Brown. Having support from such an inspiring woman who knows how to think with her head & her heart has made all the difference to me. When I said I was going to develop jewelry and call it Thrive Theory, she didn't hesitate to give me a forum to promote it, before I had little more than a tshirt to share. It makes big steps seem much smaller when there's someone you trust holding your hand the whole way! Thanks Debbie!
  • Love this, Jenn. PWB is a magnificent WOF. She's been my friend for 30 years!!
    When I had no clue about managing my life, she would send me postcards that said FYB (Follow Your Bliss!)
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