Last week, I met another one. A woman who has been resilient and creative. Designing her own business so that her family will have an additional income during these critically uncertain times.
She and her adolescent daughter have worked together to create a business that offers shaved ice. During our Kansas summer, this is the perfect example of creativity blended with practicality. They have designed a unique location, just off the K-169 highway near Osawatomie, which offers multiple flavors of shaved ice. And this woman is also presenting healthy alternatives as she makes her own juices, free of high fructose corn syrup. Her daughter helps her in the shop and the tips go to this young girl who is learning how to be resilient, creative, and how to treat customers with care. Check them out on Facebook at Aloha Lily’s.
Another friend is an amazing baker. She is famous for her cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip cookies, dinner rolls, and more. She uses her culinary talents to make delicious food that blesses those who eat it and provides special treats for events. She is also a gifted writer, so following her on Facebook offers some humorous posts as well as information about her latest and greatest baked products. Check out her amazing goodies at Gramma K’s Kitchen.
One of my writing clients is also a resilient woman on another level. Anne writes stories to help companies grow. She is also active as a presenter to nonprofit organizations and knows how to instruct them on the complexities of writing grants. In fact, Anne recently spoke at a major nonprofit event with rave reviews. She is currently writing a book that will help nonprofits better understand how to use LinkedIn to help them increase their service abilities. The ripple effect will be amazing. More people impacted for the good. Follow Anne on LinkedIn.
Another client is one of the most resilient women I know. Although Amy faces the challenge of vision loss each day, she continues to write blog posts and books that include humor and encouragement. She also works a part-time job, takes care of her cats, emotionally supports her family, and knows how to speak several languages. A former world-traveler, Amy does not let her disability stop her from doing the work she is gifted to do. You can find her books and blog posts on her website.
So why am I writing about these resilient women? Because none of them are complainers. They have reinvented themselves and their work in order to bring in an income that will help their families and provide a purpose for each day. They know who they are and aren’t afraid to put themselves out there in the world. To make it a better place. To share their giftings. To impact their particular network.
Many people these days, men and women, are working several jobs just to be able to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. These are just a few of the women I admire. For having the guts to get up every morning and do their work. For ignoring the voices of social media that scream how women need to have a certain type of skincare or hair color or birthdate to make an impact. Women who care more about others than about the reflection in their mirrors. Women who know how to aspire to a type of courage that defies anything our world might throw at them.
In her book, How We Learn to Be Brave, Bishop Mariann Budde recounts her own call to courage and resilience as she writes, “We all want to be brave when it counts—to be the one who steps up, leans in, and does the right thing when it matters most. We want to bring our best selves when we’re called upon, to speak with clarity and conviction in a pivotal situation.”
These women bring their best selves to each day. I am honored to count them as friends.
©2025 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved
Image Attribution: Wokandapix / Pixabay
Another resilient woman lived centuries ago, but her story still resonates. Check out this fictional version of Abigail’s amazing story: No Visible Scars.
Inspiring stories. Educators have long known that the most important goal of schools is to encourage creative thinking and acting. Yet today schools and colleges are being forced to teach basic skills required by corporate organizations that need well trained employees. Individual initiative, a hallmark of the American character, is acknowledged only in the context of how more money can be made by those who already have plenty. A little more than 700 Americans now own half of America’s wealth, and our government and economy are being rigged to increase that ratio. Creativity and incentive must be valued and nurtured, supported by families and teachers who encourage and support it in all girls and boys. That requires working “with” young people and not “on” them. Opening their own doors to what is possible and worthwhile.
Allowing students to be creative was one of my favorite ways to teach middle school kids. Unfortunately, the goals of education changed due to politics. But hopefully, those kids I taught are still being creative.
Inspiring!
Thanks, Jerry!
Thank you for sharing about these creative, hardworking women. I love this quote from your post and will keep it in mind in the days and weeks ahead: “We all want to be brave when it counts—to be the one who steps up, leans in, and does the right thing when it matters most. We want to bring our best selves when we’re called upon, to speak with clarity and conviction in a pivotal situation.”
I recommend reading Marianne Budde’s book. It’s excellent.