Today, I got some amazing news at
work. I was accepted to participate in a Leadership Institute for State
Advocate class with the Annie E Casey Foundation. This is only the second time
they have offered this class and I’m one of 18 people participating from across
the country. This is a tremendous investment on the part of the Foundation and I
think is a true reflection of their priority to improve the lives of America’s
children through advocacy work. It’s a fantastic
experience but also a tremendous investment on my part: additional work outside
of my usual work load and frequent travel for the 18 months beginning in November.
When I first got the application, I
was excited but nervous. Should I do this? Could I do this? After much hemming
and hawing (and discussion with husband and colleagues), I completed the
application and submitted it. But I was
torn. I’ve always been ambitious with my career but I’m a mom now. And like it
or not, that changes everything in a big way.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to or could do something that would keep me away from my baby girl and her daddy.
But as God would have it, I started
reading this book on my way to the interview for the leadership institute. And
the more I thought and the more I read, the clearer it became. This rare opportunity
before me was giving me the chance to lean in to my career and lean in to my
family. The happier I am and the more opportunities I have at work, the more committed
and satisfied I am with my work. And the more satisfied I am outside of my
house, the more satisfied and dedicated I am to what goes on at my house. But I wasn’t going to have those opportunities
for growth and advancement personally and professionally if I didn’t lean in.
Now, I know I’m just at the
beginning. I’m excited today but there is no doubt a long road ahead of
me. But I have to take this moment to
say to all the career moms who struggle with this every. single. day (and as I
reminder to myself when this journey gets rocky) LEAN IN. Lean in with
everything you have. I know, some days it hurts like hell and you just cannot
give one more ounce of yourself to anyone. But we aren’t going to make this
world any better for our own kids and for all our children, if we don’t take
the opportunities that are right in front of us, staring us in the face.
I don't know what other opportunities await me but for now, I'm going to enjoy this moment. I'm going to pick my little one up child care and celebrate over a dinner out and no dishes to clean. And then I'm going to lean in to my bed (because it's been an incredibly tiring week) and stay there at least until 7am tomorrow morning. Because we all know toddlers love to sleep in on a Saturday.
Here's to leaning in and new adventures....
*M