Feminism, Friendships, Sisterhood
Sisterhood is a magical union. It’s like fairy dust only there’s nothing fake about it. So what is sisterhood, exactly? There was a time I would have identified it as a series of moments with my girls – recklessly running through life with little discretion as to where we were going but running, together, nonetheless which made all the difference. I now know that to be illusive.
Sisterhood isn’t characterized by moments, although you may remember a time where you felt the presence of sisterhood in a moment. It’s the solidarity of women based on shared experiences, concerns and or beliefs. To take it one step further, sisterhood is first developed in the individual. As a result, when groups of individuals come together the collective is positively impacted. What do I mean by that? Well, it’s the overall development of the individual that helps foster a community brimming with sisterhood; it’s then that we’re able to invite that energy into the mix where ever we go!
When we grow in authenticity, develop compassion and exercise empathy towards others judgements begin to make way for positive emotions and their associations. At one time I lost a group of friends because I was steeped in self hate and criticism. As a result, that’s the type of environment my friendships existed in, heavily competitive and heavily shallow, until I began to develop from the inside, out.
As I healed and grew patient with myself I was able to do the same for others, I also became acutely aware of the pain most women and men are actually sifting through. That’s when compassion came in, then vulnerability. Once I was honest and shared my areas of underdevelopment these women began to encourage and support me. Not only did they have my best interest at heart, they also wanted to see me succeed. That’s sisterhood! Developing through your trauma enough to help another person do the same.
At some point you might grow out of a particular sisterhood and into another one, that’s ok, growing is part of the process of life. What’s important is that you have the courage to receive healing when it comes and return the favor.
