At three years old, I was different. A diamond in the rough. As my mother tells the story. One day, while grocery shopping, she saw this adorable teddy bear, sitting atop a bicycle. After paying for her groceries, she decided I’ll buy this toy for my daughter. The bear sat on top of the bicycle and had cymbals attached to its paws, and the pedals were attached to its feet. While the pedals went round and round the hands and cymbals clapped together. Fascinating she thought. She purchased the toy and left the store.
She arrived home with a bag of groceries in one hand, and me (2 ½ years old) and the toy holding on to her other hand. As she took me into the apartment, she sat me in the middle of the kitchen floor to keep an eye on me and thought the toy would keep me occupied as she began to prepare dinner. And kept me occupied it did for a short time, she watched me as I watched the bear, clapping its hands and moving its legs round and round on the bicycle.
But, unbeknownst to her, I gathered the toy and went into another room. The next thing noticed was I wasn’t in the same room. How many of you know that when a 2-year-old is out of sight and in another room, you need to go check?
As she rounded the corner, in sheer horror and disbelief, she saw me sitting in the middle of the room with this toy that she thought was so adorable, and that she had spent her last bit of money on, totally obliterated, in pieces all over the floor.
She was in shock, teary-eyed, and thinking my dainty little girl is destructive. What in the world? She turned for what she thought was a moment thinking I’ve got to get the broom and clean up this mess.
While she was looking for the broom she heard a different noise that sounded like forks clanking together coming from the same room. How many know when you hear noises and a 2-year-old is in another room you need to go check?
This time when she rounded the corner to her amazement, the toy was completely put back together and functioning. Ladies a 3-year-old engineer.
Fast forward, I never liked dolls, my mother didn’t know that at the time, and I always love machines and still do, and because of it I spent an illustrious career as in Information Technology as an Engineer. Why do I tell that story? The engineer was always in me like a diamond buried. Now that I made the discovery of who I am I can show up authentically. That’s how audacity shows up.
The diamond in me is the same priceless jewel that you are. And though, many people believe that diamonds are formed from the metamorphism of coal. Coal has rarely – if ever – played a role in the formation of diamonds. In fact, most diamonds that have been dated are much older than Earth’s first land plants – the source material of coal! That alone should be enough evidence to shut down the idea that Earth’s diamond deposits were formed from coal. Just like we need to shut down anyone else suggestions about who we really are ladies.
As women, we are all diamonds, we were born that way. We all have gifts and talents just waiting to show up with audacity. So, let’s talk. From today on understand this. You were created for a purpose, even if you don’t yet fully understand that purpose. KNOW that you have an assignment. You are assigned to others to share your gifts. Other people can NOT get to their purpose without you showing up in your purpose, your gift, your talent. So, you are ALLOWED to show up with your jewels. Show up with boldness and audacity knowing you are the only you there is. NOBODY and I means NOBODY can do what you do the WAY, you DO it NOBODY. That’s why you should shine your audacious light wherever you go. But what if they don’t like me? Get used to it, everybody won’t and who cares. When we are on assignment when we understand only certain people are assigned to us and we are assigned to only certain people, we SHOW up with boldness, we SHOW up with audacity in our authenticity.
One of the biggest barriers to audacity is fear and self-doubt. It’s natural to feel afraid when stepping out of our comfort zones, but by recognizing and confronting fear, we can become more audacious.
Start small and gradually increase levels of risk, to build confidence, cultivate a growth mindset, and pursue your goals with determination.
I’m going to ask you to step out of your comfort zones for a moment. Are you ready?
Put your hand over your heart and say these words: Loud and proud I AM ENOUGH, I AM BOLD, I AM on Assignment, No one else can be me but me, so don’t hate me cause you ain’t me! I AM AUDACIOUS!
Today audacity is more important than ever because women still face barriers to success: gender bias, unequal pay, and lack of representation in leadership. Being bold and daring, women can break down barriers and create opportunities for themselves and others.
Audacity is also essential for innovation. Willingness to take risks and try new things, open us up to new opportunities.
The rapidly changing world, new technologies, and emerging industries, require women to be at the forefront of innovation and progress.
Audacity is a powerful force and seeking out supportive communities like “Experts Empowering Entrepreneurs” inspires, encourages, and challenges us to become more audacious.
Ladies, my challenge to you is to embrace your audacity. Dare to dream big, take on challenges, and pursue your goals with passion and purpose.
