March for many of us has become synonymous with the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Last year, we sadly accepted that the events were cancelled and started settling in for what we hoped would be a short stay at home to help stop the spread of a new and frightening virus. Now, a year later, we are preparing for a virtual CSW as the new normal means gathering via the internet instead of packing our bags and flying to meet in person.
Gathering is something that women naturally do. We plan family gatherings, play dates for children, parties and activities, school, church, and community events. We find ourselves happiest and most productive in working together for common goals.
I have been blessed in my life to have lived in several different communities. I have lived in very small towns and in large cities. At times I have been surrounded by people who shared my beliefs and lifestyle and at other times I have found myself as the outsider who had to figure out how to fit in. I am thankful for the lessons I have learned from those different experiences. I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to grow in understanding and perspective as I have gathered with women with whom I thought I had less in common, only to find that there really was so much that we shared. Every place we lived had different opportunities; we only had to look to find them.
Sometimes it takes something life-changing, like a worldwide pandemic or a great loss, to make us look at things differently. Then after we have adjusted to that, and as we process the trauma, we can begin to look beyond ourselves and find the new opportunities. Sometimes we can be motivated by recognizing the abundance with which we are blessed and have a desire to share and serve.
We are adjusting and moving forward with our work for CSW, with our cottages, and with our communities and families. As we do, I hope we can all remember this truth:
When we work together to illuminate a better path for the rising generation who are looking to us for guidance, we are, in fact, changing their futures as well as our own. The time is now for us to unify as a global sisterhood. The world has need of our light, and as women, we are especially set apart to gather and work harmoniously together in ways that will bring about much goodness and light. – Carolina Allen
Whatever your opportunities and abilities currently are for gathering or contributing, know that you are vital and important in the work of spreading light in the world! Look for the commonalities you have with people who might at first seem different from yourself. Look for opportunities to speak in truth and kindness and help those within your reach. Then look for how you can expand your reach and watch as you actually become more capable than you ever thought you would be.
Watch for more information about our UN CSW presentation, “Global Connections Bring Global Progress” Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 10:30 Eastern Time. We will add updates here and on Social Media.
Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash
