Revolution GrayLet’s make no bones about it, I have become an avid consumer of video entertainment over the last 18 months. There are just so many hours in a day I can work or exercise or plan/make dining experiences. This leaves huge gaping holes that I once filled with social interactions with humans.
Recently I indulged in a “sleeper”, under the radar Netflix original – Warrior Nun. A dear friend, who knows my cult-like passion for Buffy The Vampire Slayer suggested it. And, she was spot on; as life-long friends often are.
For those of you who don’t know the plot, here is a very quick synopsis. Young, parapalygic orphan girl dies only to be resurrected when an angel’s halo is haphazardly inserted into her during a scuffle in a monastery. (Who hasn’t seen that before?) She awakens to find herself somewhat super human and as time goes on she accepts the responsibility that comes with her new found ‘gift’.
Yes, I hear you. It’s not Breakfast at Tiffanys or It’s A Wonderful Life, but it sure is entertaining. I have a penchant for stories where women, young or old, kick a$$.
It’s a fun, brain-numbing way to wrap up a busy day. Sometimes, I indulge when I am doing some mindless trivial work for Kuel Life. Last week there was a scene where two women wanted the same desired outcome. Stay with me. The protagonist, Eva, had run away – this is prior to her acceptance of her fate. The other ‘warrior nun types’ were trying to bring Eva back into the fold. Afterall, she does have that halo-thing and they kinda need her super powers to fight off evil.
OK, so two people seeking a similar outcome. Doesn’t this shout out Collaboration; some Camaraderie – a Partnership?
Alas, no.
What actually happens? The two women disagree and spend an inordinate amount of energy kicking the crap out of one another. Meanwhile, the Halo Chick is just sitting around, figuring out how to escape; again. All the internal strife between the two women neutralizes the possible impact they could have had to execute on their mission – to retrieve Eva.
And, there it is. I buried the lead.
Collaboration Over Competition.
Competing against other women. We come by it honestly. We really do. Most of us grew up with very few seats at ‘The Table’, so to speak. We, women, grew up in a highly competitive environment. If you wanted one of those coveted ‘seats’, you had to ‘beat out’ the ‘other’ women. The messages were often subtle. No one ‘declared’ that vying for that one seat would require Warrior Nun superhero powers and a round in the Colosseum with a gladiator and a lion. But, it sure felt that way at times.
Times have changed. And, maybe the warrior-nun chicks did not get the message. But, times are different. Thank goodness. More and more women are at the table. Hell, it’s OUR table.
I am fortunate to have dozens upon dozens of women collaborators. Rather than pit ourselves against one another, weakening our collective selves, we have figured out ways to team up. We listen to one another, provide counsel when asked, and promote our unique skills, services, and/or products. Unlike those silly ‘warrior-nun’ chicks, we’ve learned that inorder to rise we absolutely need to stick together.
Of course there will always be people who don’t want others to succeed. Somehow they are stuck in the land of scarcity. For them it will be an arduous, lonely, and tiring fight in the arena. I say let them. We don’t have to participate or be a spectator. Instead, let’s grab a coffee and brainstorm future successes at our big, welcoming roundtable.
About the Author:
Jacqueline (Jack) Perez is the Founder and CEO of Kuel Life, an online platform and curated shopping experience for women in the Second Act. She is on a mission to normalize aging. By creating a virtual arena where women SHARE, LEARN,& PLAY, she encourages women to shine brightly.
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