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Inspirational Leaders

These posts describe how we could all be leaders and guide others in a positive way.

More Than a Mom

The first time I remember feeling content in my life was the first year of my daughter’s life. Up until that point, I was notorious for always wanting more. Nothing was ever enough, even my wins fell overwhelmingly short, and I would constantly bounce around looking for the next best thing.

Then, that tiny human slowed and steadied me.

I remember around my fourth month as a stay at home mom, my therapist asked me if I had finished my book—a project I was working on prior to giving birth. I was flabbergasted. How could I?! I was a mother now. I had a mouth to feed and nursery rhymes to sing. There was no time for the betterment of myself. When you take on the role of a mother it means you sacrifice, or so I assumed.

Turns out, therapists get paid a lot because they have incredible foresight.

It wouldn’t be long …

by Stephanie Hanrahan Girl's Night Out Guest Blogs HeartBeats Inspiration Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Inspirational Words Love Love In Action Love in Family Loving Yourself Motherhood Priorities The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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I Like You Just the Way You Are

To celebrate the upcoming Halloween holiday, my son’s preschool had a “Heroes Parade.”

Kids came dressed as their favorite heroic figures: doctors, firefighters, policemen—there was even an astronaut.

My son went as Mr. Rogers.

(Albeit a casual Friday Fred Rogers because I couldn’t find his khaki pants.)

I can’t think of a bigger hero than someone whose life motto was, “I like you just the way you are.” Every day, as I send my children off into this beautiful but often brutal world, I hope they’ll meet people with that same mentality—ones who welcome them as is.

I think all parents want their children’s value to been seen. It’s why we post pictures of their artwork, instill manners, and apologize to strangers when they’re loud on an airplane. We’re on a quest to have our little angels fit in, and yet stand out for all the multitude of reasons that make them unique. We want …

by Stephanie Hanrahan Guest Blogs HeartBeats Inspiration Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Words Love Love In Action Love in Family Loving Others Motherhood Leave a comment chat
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Find the Friend Who Will Row Beside You

two girls wearing life vests holding kayak paddles

Big groups of girlfriends have always been tricky for me. I’m a former only child and some of the residual effects of that linger. I’ve always preferred my friendships one-on-one so that I can dive deep with the few rather than stay surface with the many.

But finding the one or two women who understand you to your core is a challenge. It takes effort and intention to sustain a sisterhood. And it also takes someone who is willing to say yes to every part of your messy, beautiful life.

A few years ago, both of my children were diagnosed with autism and something interesting happened: my inner circle closed even tighter. The thing is, it doesn’t take a special mom to raise special needs kids, but it does take incredibly special people to stick it out with you.

So some of my friendships faded away. Some didn’t know what to say, so …

by Stephanie Hanrahan Community Girl's Night Out Guest Blogs HeartBeats Inspiration Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Inspirational Words Love Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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If One Woman Wins, We All Do

When I graduated from nursing school, my best friends showed up with their support and this sign.

I remember there was no better feeling than seeing a group of women I loved standing up for me.

Girls in their twenties get a bad rap. Dare I say this was the time in my life I felt the most supported by my same gender.

Because somewhere along the line women are introduced to the wrong side of competition called scarcity. Meaning that if one of us succeeds, another doesn’t. I see this a lot in the writing world. If one author gets a hit, the others start scrambling, analyzing their numbers, and pushing out inauthentic content to keep up.

But honestly, it’s everywhere. We compare bodies, businesses, even our own mothering.

This idea of scarcity is sad, and also completely unfounded. We are not on survivor island. There’s not a limited amount of words and awards …

by Stephanie Hanrahan Girl's Night Out Guest Blogs Inspiration Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Inspirational Words Love Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others Leave a comment chat
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Low Power Mode

Wouldn’t it be great if our bodies came with the option for automatic “Low Power Mode” just like our iPhones?

This is the definition on Apple’s website:

“Use Low Power Mode to save battery life on your iPhone. Low Power Mode reduces the amount of power that your iPhone uses when the battery gets low.  When Low Power Mode is on, your iPhone will last longer before you need to charge it, but some features might take longer to update or complete.  Also, some tasks might not work until you turn off Low Power Mode, or until you charge your iPhone to 80% or higher.  When Low Power Mode is on, the battery in the status bar will be yellow.   After you charge your iPhone to 80% or higher, Low Power Mode automatically turns off. ”

How great would it be if our bodies had a setting for that?

Like before they forced us to …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Love In Action Loving Others Loving Yourself Motherhood Priorities Leave a comment chat
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What’s your love language?

I’m quite possibly the world’s worst gift-giver.

“They say” that you show love in the way you feel loved.  The fact that I do not feel loved when you buy me a gift, is abundantly clear in my nearly non-existent gift-giving prowess.  I’m a Quality Time girl, which is why I will be chasing you down for your most valuable asset (your time) until the day I die.  It’s why creating the HeartStories Girls Night Out is all about being face-to-face.  It’s the secret sauce of all of life, at least to me.   But it’s also why it’s incredibly important for me to surround myself with a team of people who are passionate about all the other ways people feel loved, including giving beautiful, thoughtful, meaningful gifts.

We do that at GNO too! 

Have you ever heard of the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman? He says they are:

l. Words of …

by Crystal Gornto Community Girl's Night Out Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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