Bear!

Every day I am introduced to someone new who has heard about the SheHive and wants to learn more. What I am discovering, nine out of ten times, is that when someone reaches out to me to say that they want to “learn more,” what they really want is to offer something of themselves. Whether it’s a space, a service, a skill set, an introduction or a personal commitment to be a cheerleader and advocate, people everywhere are offering themselves up to make this idea a reality.

I am nothing short of humbled and in awe right now of how good people can be. 

If you’ve been reading for any length of time, you might have gathered that I left my last job a little scarred. (And if you know me personally, you know you can replace “scarred” with “a full-on fucking case of PTSD.”) The last few months were kind of - kind of - like walking through a door every day knowing full well that a bear could potentially be on the other side. A frightened, power-starved grizzly that would rear back on its hind legs, froth at the mouth and then try to eat you for dinner. 

The threat was so constant that sometimes a fuzzy, lost kitten would wander in and everyone would still go running in a million separate directions. “Beeeeeeeeeaaaaaarrrrr!”

Thing is, a change in scenery didn’t necessarily cull the fear. Ever since leaving the job I’ve been suspiciously tiptoeing around the city looking everywhere for bears. “Bear?” I’d ask myself every time I opened a new door. “Bear?” 

Last Friday, as I was having coffee with, yet, another amazing woman who was sharing with me how she wanted to be of service to the SheHive - and as I found myself having to ask once again, “But what can I do for you?” it hit me… there really aren’t that many bears out here. 

It took me 87 days to get over the fear of being eaten alive at every turn. Well, 87 days and a lifetime before.

“I want Ride or Dies who make me want to be a better person.” That’s a quote from Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes book. A friend shared it with me a few weeks back and I am reminded of it tonight as I reflect on how cathartic launching the SheHive has become.

I am nothing short of humbled and in awe right now of how good I can be and want to be surrounded by the Hive, by Ride or Dies.

I am nothing short of humbled and in awe right now of how good the Hive can be. So good.