Belonging.

 

The weekend before last I got to spend the day with 35 incredible women for our first High-End Hustlers Implementation Day of 2018.

We kicked off in the sun-drenched meeting room at the Smack Bang Designs HQ, where the noise created by this many women in one small space was deafening.

Excitement. Anticipation. Nerves.

I’d brought in one of my favourite OC Mavericks Krista Jane, so everyone knew that shit was about to get real.

The clock struck 10am and together we all moved inside for the main game.

What went on inside those walls I hardly have words to explain.

Tears. Declarations. Courage. Support. Honesty. Authenticity.

One by one the protective layers fell away, and all that was left was honesty and pure human connection.

And above all…Belonging.

Thirty-five women each from different walks of life coming together to get honest about what wasn’t working for them, discover what was, and consciously create their future.

The experience got me thinking of the wise words of Brene Brown who defines True Belonging as wanting “to be part of something, to experience real connection with others, but not at the cost of their authenticity, freedom, and power”.

In a world where we’re increasingly separated and segregated running your own gig can offer a surprising oasis.

You see, this space offers us the opportunity to truly own who we are. To show up with the courage to find our truth. To create life on our own terms.

And when we choose to show up as our authentic selves, we find the other Crazies, Misfits, and Dreamers who are also willing to stand upright for what they believe in – to live this life in the most honest way they can.

A life of purpose and honesty, no matter how hard the road of business ownership can be.

It is here in business when we show up as ourselves that we find our tribe.

Belonging.

So it is with extreme gratitude that I thank you for being part of the OC tribe.

As a kid that moved around a bunch, and felt like an outsider much of the time, it was really not until I ventured into this unknown game of business that I found my tribe, and truly experienced ‘belonging’.

It’s a journey for us all, and I’m sure glad you’re along for the ride.

We are brave, courageous, and willing to stand for who we are. And we’re in it together.

~ Pru