We’ve all done it – taken that frightening first step

I was about 20 when I found myself standing in the middle of the Paris airport hefting a suitcase packed with everything I would need for the next year. 

 

Before that, I had never left the country, not to vacation with my family, not even a quick jaunt across the Canadian border.  And there I was, all alone, double-fisting this incredibly heavy bag, back arched as it bumped against my legs (they didn’t have wheels back in the Dark Ages) pushing through the crowd to take my first step: Finding the bus into the city.

 

I had a destination, a place to stay my first couple nights.  What I didn’t have was a return ticket, or any idea of when the adventure would end.

 

That’s a bit like how I feel starting this blog. 

 

I found the bus and then a cab once in Paris, and tripping over my untested French, provided the driver with an address.  What followed was three years of challenge and self discovery, love and basketball.

 

My first destination with this blog? Seeing whether it speaks to an audience and helps build a community of women, learning from each other, being inspired, amused and informed through our connections.

 

After all, women have been creating community forever.  Don’t you think there were cavewomen groups, sharing the cook fire and fashion tips?  “I love what you’ve done with that mastodon pelt!” 

 

But really, think of those formal and informal groups of women that have been part of your life. Some invitation convinced you to join while the camaraderie you found there compelled you to stay.

 

So, here’s an invitation.  Take that first step.  Join in.  Take the adventure along with me.  You never know where we’ll end up. 

 

What will you find on this blog?

 

You’ll be inspired by the extraordinary and ordinary life stories of women in the Seattle area (and maybe beyond). 

 

Each week I’ll interview a single mom, elite athlete, artist, or community volunteer; women who have arrived at their destination or women in transition – about who they are now and what choices they made to get to this point.

 

I’ll ask these women to tell who has made a fundamental impact on their lives, and what resources they turn to for support.  And I’ll ask, who should I interview next?  We’ll start a thread that could weave throughout the region, and we’ll follow it wherever it takes us.

 

I’ve already developed quite a list of women I want to hear from.  Be forewarned – your name may be on it.

 

 

And then what?

 

So, how do you do it? 

 

Is your secret as basic as a crock pot or as meaningful as the words Aunt Lola whispered to you on your wedding day?  What gets you up on a rainy morning and sustains you through one more meeting, rehearsal, breast feeding, burnt casserole, proposal deadline, or arrival of the Great Hormonal Onslaught?

 

I’ll open up topics each week and ask you to weigh in.  Questions like:

 

• How has your cell phone helped you organize your life?
• Are there natural solutions to controlling hot flashes? 
• Are you and partner planning a commitment ceremony or waiting for the state to make it legal for you to marry? 
• How do you use your buying power to support your social values?

 

Get the idea?

 

We’ll learn from each other, share our secrets, and promote the people, organizations, books – even kitchen gadgets -- that add value to our lives. 

 

So, what do you have to do?

 

If you want take that bus with me, read the blog.  And if you like it, send the link out to your friends and suggest they do so as well.

 

That’s the first step.

 

Then, follow the interviews and the conversations.  Offer your advice.  Offer your help.  Tell us how you do it.

 

We’ll go from there.

Comments

[Julie Baker]

JP, I'm so glad you went for it! You've done such a beautiful job honoring these women and telling their inspirational stories. I look forward to much more!

[Kathy Tanaka]

The site is wonderful, so visually appealing. Looking forward to more stories (love that you started with Paris, one of my favorite cities). Congratulations!

[Judy Tobin]

This is a perfect thing for you to do -- love the stories and the pictures and I don't mind if you remind me every time you post something--thus far, figuring out how to subscribe eludes me -- perhaps my wonky husband can help.

[Beth Dennis]

Yay, Janet! I love this idea and will look forward to more. Nice job learning the technical piece of this...

[melinda mann]

How exciting, Janet! It's like opening a new book. Thank you for taking the leap and shining the light on women whose stories will inspire us all.

And I love the idea of a 'new Paris'...it has a certain joie de vivre! Can't wait for more.

[Jody Schlachter]

Fantastic idea Janet! Who wouldn't love a blog about women, for women?! Looking forward to all that may come this way!
Jody

[Shelly Yapp]

JP, This is great! I only wish you could have done my Mom before she left. This will be my new spot to look for inspiration. And, you know what? You are your Mother's daughter!

PS I'm so nontechie that I opened subscribe and it so freaked me out that I immediately hit "back". Help me out.

[Jennifer Bucher]

I am very excited to watch how the blog develops! Will check it regularly.

[Leslie Markham]

Congrats Janet this blog has a great look and what a fun start!
Hi Laurie, that's so cool you found this blog. When I read that you found it I had to join in too.

[carrie lucke]

Count me in on this adventure! Looking forward to meeting many wonderful women and learning from all our successes and challenges. Thanks for following through on a great idea Janet.

[Laurie Lippold]

I look forward to reading more! Assuming this very nontechie type can find your blog without someone sending it directly to me! I shouldn't admit that, should I?!

[Christine Olsen Reis]

Is cyberspace our new Paris? Thanks for continuing to be smart and adventuresome. And for honoring our Mothers. I will read what you write, Janet.