Usually the third blog post of the week comes on Friday, but as today is International Women’s Day, I thought I’d write something for the occasion. I’ve actually been meaning to do this for some time, but each year I always miss the day. Until now, that is. So I’ll be taking this opportunity to appreciate the positive influence the women in my life have on me.
There’s an attitude among some people, that men and women cannot really be friends, but this is absolutely not true. Just a few week ago, a friend of mine told me that if I found a good job opportunity somewhere far away, she’d give me the financial support I’d need to relocate. Another friend recently bought me a special little gift in order to help lift my spirits after a downbeat ending to the previous year. But these two things are based on finances, and not everybody has those, so what about emotional support and value? A friend of mine once spoke with me extensively on the subject of body image, in order to help me feel more confident. Another would always stand up for me, back in school. Another gave me a lot of support when dealing with an abusive employer.
But we mustn’t look at friendships as what a person can give to you, but rather the experiences shared. Whether it’s been exploring forests, visiting Christmas markets, visiting Nando’s, working on projects together, visiting amusement arcades or just generally spending time together without much of a “special occasion” my female friends have done a lot to enrich my life and I am often inspired and encouraged by their achievements.
