Call me crazy, but I thoroughly enjoy seeing people happy and succeeding. Just doing their thing, whatever that may be. Life is meant to be a journey, not a competition.

So SHOUT OUT to the girls who smile at other girls, the ones who compliment one another, the girls who aren’t always judging or trying to compete for this, that or the other thing. (The other thing generally being a guy, am I right? Plenty of fish in the sea ladies, take your pick just not one that’s already on a hook).

It’s easy to tell who the STRONG ones are; they are the women building each other up instead of breaking each other down. Nothing shouts confidence more than a woman who will not only stand for herself, but for everyone else around her. You f*cking GO girl. We need more women like you- people in general- like you. You know why? Because when someone judges, it isn’t actually about you. Its more about them and their own insecurities and limitations. Insecure people tend to make excuses and put others down to feel assured.

Don’t allow someone’s bitterness to taint your spirit. Let them judge you, misunderstand you and gossip about you; their opinions are not your problem. You stay real, committed to love and authenticity and the beauty of telling the truth and being kind. No matter what others say or do, never doubt yourself or the worth you bring to the lives of those around you. Just keep that certainty shining like you do, and who knows, you may even rub off on the nay-sayers and change their arrogance to acceptance.

BUT, confidence not cockiness. Knowing who you are and being comfortable is confidence, cockiness is knowing who you are and trying to shove it down everyone’s throat. (i.e. I don’t want to know your Instagram handle when introducing yourself). Confidence has never been and will never be walking into a room with your nose held in the air; it’s not thinking you are better than everyone else. Confidence is simply not having to compare yourself to anyone in the first place. There is a fine line between confident and arrogant; it’s called humility. Be humble enough to know that no one is perfect, and poised enough to appreciate and encourage that we are all capable of doing anything we set our minds to.

So be THAT girl. Be that person. Don’t bother with the envy, jealousy and insecurity stuff. Be the well-wisher, the hustler, the go-getter raising others up along your way. Real is rare, be REAL. Ladies, no matter where you are in life try to empower, support and inspire the women around you. Success is always sweeter when shared…empowerment starts with one another.

Photos by Luca DelPiccolo – @lucadp.photo

[S/O to my two best friends for being exemplary young women and practicing these uplifting morals in all they do. Unwavering support and accompaniment in everything and anything is what I am lucky enough to get from you two all the time. Don’t know what I would do with out you, love you ladies. #girlgang]