This past week I attended a networking event in my town called Ladies Relax After 5 at the Hub in Sarasota. The purpose of the event was to create a relaxed atmosphere for women to network over cocktails and have a fun evening meeting and mingling with new people. Business owners were offered an opportunity to have their own table and promote their services as well, and since I’m opening my acupuncture practice this June I jumped at the chance. And to be honest I didn’t expect this event to be any different from others I’ve attended in the past. It’s usually a lot of small talk, and a lot of shoving business cards at one another. I figured at least I can have a martini and maybe I’ll walk away with one or two new contacts. But my expectations proved to be completely wrong. This event turned into one of the most inspirational evenings I’ve had in a long time.

Picture this; a room full of beautiful women all supporting and celebrating each other’s success. No jealousy, no gossiping, and no pettiness. I know it seems impossible, and I wouldn’t believe it myself if I hadn’t experienced it.

Dayle Hoffmann, who is the amazing woman responsible for putting on this event, is also the woman who set the tone for the night. She gave a brief speech touching on the importance for women to stop trying to cut each other down and to instead start building each other up. The evening was not just about exchanging business cards, it was about empowering and supporting one another. Conversation wasn’t filled with small talk, it was about real connection and listening. There was nothing fake about this gathering. And as I left that evening I could care less about how many people took my card or signed up for my mailing list. I was simply elated with the new friends I met and the genuine interactions that occurred.

This past week I’ve really been reflecting on that beautiful evening and Dayle’s words. Growing up I thought gossip and petty jealousy would be left behind in high school, but entering the world of business it is more prevalent then ever. Why is it that when we see someone succeeding we have to find a way to cut them down? And it’s not just in business, we do this constantly to celebrities (God forbid they have a bad hair day), and it even occurs within a circle of friends. It all stems from our own fear of feeling inadequate. And in order to make ourselves feel better we try and make someone else feel inadequate too. Rather childish behavior when you think about it.

So ladies isn’t about time that we stop all that bullshit? Can’t we just be done with the  gossip and the judging? Who is it serving? No one. I really believe that if we focused on empowering one another that we would all succeed. If we really took the time to get to know one another, instead of projecting out a bunch of assumptions, there would be more genuine connections and less “fake” friendships. That event gave me a glimpse as to what’s possible when women start to support one another. It takes away that feeling of fear and competition, of having to be better then everyone else, and helps you to focus in on your real purpose and your message. And wouldn’t it be nice if we all felt supported enough to live our truth and let our gifts shine through? Just imagine what a bunch of empowered women could do in this world.

This week take time to really appreciate the women in your life. What do you admire about them? Why are you grateful for their friendship? Then share these thoughts with one another. When you see another women succeed this week congratulate her, celebrate with her. And when you catch yourself starting to gossip, stop and ask yourself why you feel the need to talk about this person behind their back. Start to be the change that you want to see in this world. If you want to feel more supported, support someone else. If you want to feel more loved, give love to someone else. And if you want to feel more empowered on your path, help to empower someone else.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this topic, please feel free to share below. And for more events like this one keep an eye on what Dayle’s up to at www.creativemindexposed.com.