United States’ forward Megan Rapinoe celebrates scoring her team’s first goal during the Women’s World Cup quarter-final match between France and United States, on June 28, 2019, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)
Try this, friends, when no one is around…
Stand up, as tall as you are – exactly as tall as you are – no more, no less. Hold your arms aloft, presenting yourself to the world. As if your arms could hold up the world. As if you loved the world with all your heart – and loved yourself in it. As if you felt every ounce of your weight, and your strength – the strength of every part of yourself. I’m 50 years old, I’ve never been an athlete, I’m not winning the World Cup. I’m not sure I’m even winning my life. But I’m channeling Megan Rapinoe – and it might feel as good as anything has ever felt.
It makes me happy that Rapinoe is agitating for equal pay and for respectful treatment of all people, no matter their sexual orientation.
It makes me sad that she doesn’t sing our National Anthem or place her hand over her heart.
Would a suffragette agitating for the right to vote ever have done that? I don’t know. I’m thinking maybe not. I need to read the book of the hour here in Nashville – The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote, by Elaine Weiss.
My daughters are 18 and 20, and they are on their own journeys. They love me; they are walking away. Which is as it should be.
If they were 4 and 6? “Let’s try something,” I would say to my girls. And I would teach them how to stand up in the world – with love, and strength, and ferocity – like Megan Rapinoe. Maybe I taught them?
Loved this, Jennifer. Hits many on the feeling of power!
Thanks for reading Elaine Weiss’s book—and inspiration for as many as possible others to read and come to hear her in conversation, August 18, 2019, 3:00 pm at Downtown Library.
I promise a lively and thought provoking time! Jeanie Nelson
I will see you August 18th, Jeanie! Thank you so much for reminding us all! Xoxo
Thank you for capturing so many special moments in this post (and yes your daughters were also a special moment :-)). I thought you should also know: in Amy Cuddy’s book Presence she writes about the connection between mind and body and how adopting power poses emboldens our minds even when we are feeling afraid. She pointed out the universal sign for rapturous victory, arms raised aloft, pumping in joy – a little bit like what Megan Rapinoe does. Apparently even blind runners who have never seen anyone else make this posture do this when they have won a race. Isn’t that beautiful?
I remember you (and Dallas Wilt) talking about Presence! I’m sorry I haven’t read it! I did not know about the blind runners… and it is beautiful. Thank you as always for talking with me about Bacon, and life, Mary. Xoxo
LOVE this!!
Thank you, Lyn!! Xoxo
Wow! Megan is tenacity personified, indeed! I loved “The Woman’s Hour” and would highly recommend Nadia Bolz Weber’s “Shameless” to you! Let’s have lunch for a long conversation that will go in many directions, I’m sure!
Jane Haynes
I would LOVE that, Jane! And thank you for the recommendations!! Xoxo
I LOVE this and especially that photo – I’ve been on the receiving end of a few of those myself! Laughing out loud and so very thankful to you for capturing this important moment, this critical movement and for being Y-O-U!
Your kind words mean so much to me, Kaaren!! This post was straight from the heart. Xoxo
Eight former UNC players in the 2019 World Cup — five for the USWNT, plus Lucy Bronze (England), Katie Bowen (New Zealand), and coach Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands). Go Heels.
UNC is EVERYTHING. Xoxo
Love love love this post. Except the part about the Tarheels (go Devils)— ha.
We should all “do the Rapinoe” more often to advocate for ourselves and for others. I think our girls know this better than I do for sure.
I too struggle with her not singing the anthem or putting her hand over her heart— but I’ve settled on the fact that she does love our country and is using her influence to make a point on behalf of many who don’t have the stage— and I think I’m ok with that.
Haha! I agree with you on all. Except the Blue Devils. Who occupy moral territory somewhere between Kim Jong Un and Putin. 🙂 xoxo
I will have the conversation in the morning with my little three year old – “Let’s try something” – and hope that she will have as much love, strength and ferocity one day as your 18 and 20 year olds. Thank you for the post today. xo
Dearest Miss Anne – It makes me so happy to think of you and Margaret doing the Rapinoe!! Or the “Pinoe” as her teammates apparently call her. Sending love. And thank you for your love on this journey, always. Xoxo
My powerful daughter turned 35 last month, and all I can say, Jennifer, is Amen, amen.
Jack
Of course you raised a powerful daughter, Jack! And raised up young women in your classrooms. Xoxo
The Woman’s Hour by Weiss is one of the best books ever. Reads like a novel. I think I bookmarked almost every page.
Thank you for sharing Jennifer. ❤️❤️
The Woman’s Hour is one of the best books ever. Reads like a novel. I keep buying copies at Parnassus and giving them away.
Thanks for sharing.
There’s nothing like finding the book you love so much that you have to buy copies for friends!! So nice to hear from you, Saralee! xoxo
That is a well-mannered benefaction in succour of victory. bacononthebookshelf.com
https://bit.ly/2NLw6lk
And – I am so intrigued by this comment! xoxo