From the clutter of news coverage on the midterm elections, one line has resonated with me the most. It is a sentence I will surely replay in my head and rally chant aloud long after November 2nd.
“If I were ineffective, they wouldn’t care about me.”
Yes, that was Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic and possibly outgoing U.S. Speaker of the House channeling her inner Katt Williams.
For those who missed the past five or so years in politics, Nancy Pelosi is the first ever Speaker of the House. Though she started her political career quietly representing California’s 8th Congressional District, she has slowly used her strategy to become one of the most powerful women in the Beltway. When many said healthcare reform had failed, she refused to give up. By getting enough votes, she was able to bring to reality the reforms that many men had tried to push for decades without getting through.
Her recent quote has found a warm place in my mind, and it has nothing to do with the red, blue and purple politics at all. It’s because it is refreshing to hear a woman speak unabashedly about her success. Especially, when many Mesdames grow up learning that showing such boldness is undesirable.
From the time we are younger, we are told not to brag. But many of us take our childhood advice and use it as excuses to be timid when we need to be unafraid, to wait when we need to act. What our Madame Speaker is illuminating is something that should make all of us light up inside- that the reactions from the folks across the aisle show that they are paying attention.
For me, the folks on the other side of the aisle are the background noise makers, the ones with words pertaining to me but never quite able to get them out when I’m around. Years ago I used to think that if I could block out their comments, all would be well in my world and that my self confidence would naturally grow.
But as I’ve gotten used to the murmurings and off-the-cuff remarks, I am learning to view those reactions as confirmation. Confirmation that I am doing something I need to, that even on the days I feel like I am barely moving- to the folks watching, it may look like I’m sprinting miles ahead.
Sometimes haters attack because they can see potential you haven’t claimed. If they believe in what you’re capable of- then why shouldn’t you be aware as well? Be as real as Madame Speaker- know what you’ve accomplished and understand it. Unless you know the significance of who you are and how much more light you have to shine, you’ll never understand why people are trying to put out your fire.
Instead of worrying about what the murmurs are about, keep your head to the ground. Learn to appreciate the buzz and be unapologetically, unabashedly good at what you do.
