As many of my readers know, I love quotes. It fills me with joy to read what others have said about things that have meaning to me, and this speaks to that. Benjamin Disraeli, who twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said, “the greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.” At its core, the greatest good is mentoring and guiding, motivating and encouraging, something that resonates with me.

Gathering a group of women in my community with the concept of growing from each other seemed very meaningful. I named the group LADIES LAUGH AND LEARN with the concept of women mentoring women. What is more wonderful than being guided by another woman able to share how to encourage her child or grandchild to be more willing to try new foods? Or how to decide where to place an aging parent? Or to support an adult child who is to become a parent, without overstepping boundaries? Regardless of our age or stage of life, we are, at the core, all similar. We want to do our best, want to do what works, want to excel in areas that are important to us.

This type of sharing is a gift and encouraging others to feel empowered is equally a gift. The appreciation for what we have learned in our lives is often not acknowledged because we assume everyone knows what we know. Taking a step back and realizing that life’s lessons, which are what these are, frequently are learned in ways that take energy and perseverance, encourage us to be more open to guiding others.

I believe that a group does best when there is an acceptance for differences, as well as similarities. Age, upbringing, education, profession all offers a uniqueness and opportunity to explore different or similar ways to processing. If a large group is intimidating, just bring together small groups of women. Rotate facilitators if desired. Offer a “meet and greet” before each meeting so people can say hello. Wear name tags, wear comfortable clothes, wear a smile. Open your heart and reveal to another woman that she has riches. My belief is that your own riches will become even more obvious, and meaningful!

 

 

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