Empowering Moments

I mentioned the other day that trying to write about one of my most embarrassing moments was basically a total fail. I was trying to be funny but discovered that underneath the humor was still a lot of hurt. It has occurred to me since then that instead of sharing embarrassing moments (and that day may come, by the way – I’m just not there quite yet), I’d love to start sharing some empowering moments.

Once, many years ago, I heard of a woman who finally took a long-desired trip to Paris. She found herself sitting outdoors at a café in the sweltering heat, and finally decided she’d had it. She whipped off her wig, exclaiming, “it is too damn hot,” put it on the chair beside her and went on to enjoy herself immensely.

I have always been a little horrified by and a little awestruck by this story. I mean, who does that? In public, for the whole world to see? It seems so crazy – and yet, so fabulous. If you have ever essentially worn a hat full-time during the summer heat, you can relate to the sheer relief of removing it and being able to manage your temperature. Doing that whenever you feel like it? Magnificent.

I have held onto that story for ages, but never imagined I would do something like it. Yet there we were, preparing for a cross-country move from Texas during a sizzling summer day, and I found myself slinking around in misery. Movers were in every room and although I was sweating buckets, I kept up my façade of normalcy until it finally hit me… wait, this is my house! I don’t even know these people! I’ve had it! I walked straight up to the movers, told them, “hey just a heads up – I wear a wig for a medical condition but it’s just too damn hot” and went and took it off. It felt AWESOME. I felt awesome. I was awesome.

This happened a few years ago and even reliving it makes me feel strong and proud. It reminds me that I have a say in all of this – and I can choose my needs over my fears. I wish I could meet that woman someday and tell her that hearing even a short story of her courage has meant so much to me, a total stranger, for years and years. She inspires me! I want to continue to be more like her.