“Friends don’t let other friends dress like old ladies.”  – Rea Carver

Not long ago, I participated in a workshop where the presenter talked about the importance of having a personal Board of Directors.  His point was that we should all have a group of people who know us on a personal level who we can gather together from time to time for support, to talk through various challenges in our lives, to give us perspective, and from whom we can get energy and clarity.

I had a Personal Board of Directors meeting this weekend….otherwise known as “Chick’s Weekend.”   Each woman in this group of my friends is beautiful, intelligent, creative, strong, independent, talented, caring, and pee-in-your-pants funny.  They have each seen me at my worst, and my best.   After a Board Meeting, I feel blessed, centered, happy, energized and confident.  ( Although I often feel a bit fatter because these Board Meetings frequently involve lots of food and adult beverages!)  Time with these amazing REAL WOMEN helps put life in perspective… it helps me get back in touch with the important things in my life, to realize I’m not alone in my “real life wackiness”.  And the support is incredible.  Through career shifts, love life changes, health challenges, family issues – we are there for each other unconditionally.  We share openly with no fear of judgement, nor worries of breaches in confidentiality.

The other incredible thing for me with these Board Members is that I met each of them at a different time and stage of my life.  I have known each of them for anywhere from 10 years to 35. They are each at different phases in their lives with their own unique set of circumstances.  A couple of them live a few hours away, and a couple are local.  And yet, over the past several years, they have met each other, gotten along really well, and have created a sisterhood through common bonds and an appreciation for each other and life.

As with any truly successful Board Meeting, we end our time together with plans for the next meeting, and how we will stay in touch in the meantime.  Like family, these women are part of me, part of who I am, and I don’t know what I would do without them.  I will be forever thankful for that.