Last night at the very end of my hot yoga class, the instructor said softly that she had a gift for us. She proceeded to pass out cold cloths infused with orange essential oils for us to place on our forehead, eyes, neck, or wherever felt right. She then said she was going to play this last song a little bit louder in honour of International Women’s Day 2020 which was this past Sunday, March 8th. Here are some of the lyrics:

All we need, all we need is hope

And for that we have each other

And for that we have each other

And we will rise, we will rise

We’ll rise, Ohhhhh

We’ll rise

…

And we’ll rise up, rise like the waves

We’ll rise up, in spite of the ache

We’ll rise up

And we’ll do it a thousand times again

I had a moment. A moment where I was overcome with emotion…

…for all that I am as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, cousin, woman.

…for all the strong, powerful women who surround me and show me the way.

…for the constant love and support I get from all these incredible women.

So today, I just want to say that I see you.

I see you through the struggle. The struggle that only women can truly feel amd understand.

And yet, you rise.

And you rise other women, too.

You are an inspiration. Never doubt yourself. You are perfect just the way you are. You are enough.

Rise up.