Title: Girl, Wash Your Face
Author: Rachel Hollis
Topic: Self Help/ Motivational/ Personal Growth/ Parenting
I recently read Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis. Rachel is a wife, mother, friend, author, entrepreneur, media mogul, and Christian. She gives readers tips on how to silence negative self-talk, embrace their personal choices, and live a productive, joy-filled life.
Three Great Takeaways from Girl, Wash Your Face:
Happy People Celebrate When Others Around Them Succeed
Rachel tells about a time she went to cheer on her friends as they ran their first half marathon. At first, she questioned why she was on the sidelines when she was capable of completing the race herself. But the motivation to be supportive of her friends took over and she felt overcome with joy for her girlfriends.
“I’m screaming like a maniac and trying not to throw myself over the fence to attack them with hugs. I was so proud of them I was laughing and crying as if their achievement was somehow my own. I jogged alongside them, outside the track, wrapped up in the joy of the moment, and I heard God very distinctly say, ‘Imagine all of the things you would have missed today if you’d only been out here for yourself.’”
Doesn’t that sound amazing?! You really do have to be a friend to have a friend. I’ve always been good about checking in when my friends are struggling, but this week I sent off a few cards in the mail to celebrate my friends’ special successes and to tell them that I am so very proud of them.
No Is Not the Final Answer
When she wrote her first book, Rachel was rejected by every publisher she contacted, so she decided to self-publish. Her novel sold hundreds of thousands of copies, but would still be on her computer if she had listened to the “experts.” Because of Rachel’s experience, I chose to be bold and submitted articles to several outlets that I read and adore and have had a lot of fun meeting people through these channels.
Childhood Trauma is not a Life Sentence
We don’t like to talk about painful times or things that went wrong. But when these experiences are allowed to sit in darkness and we are afraid to speak of them out loud, we give them power. Sharing your battles and struggles can give you insight and purpose, as well as provide perspective and hope for others who have been through similar things.
For Rachel, it was losing her brother to suicide. Through participation in a women’s circle, I’ve discovered that we are all struggling in different ways, and the more we share our experiences, the more love we feel for ourselves and for others. One story I shared was particularly shameful for me to admit. Instead of disgust, I was met with nodding heads and looks of love.
It was uncomfortable to be embraced with such grace, but it made me realize that I am not as despicable as I had imagined. The more your friends share their hurts and struggles and are honest with you, the more loveable they are to you, so why would it be different for you?
What this book will do for you:
Rachel wants us to feel fantastic and be motivated to live our best lives for ourselves and for our children. Life is hard. Being a mother is challenging. This book will validate you and help you to be a better mother, partner, friend, and professional.
QUESTION: When is the last time you cheered on your friends, pursued a personal dream, or discussed a difficult situation?
CHALLENGE: Take some time to journal about the above question. Find the courage to reach out to a friend, dust off an old dream, or unburden your heart of a difficulty you haven’t shared.
Edited by Sharon Brown and Nollie Haws.
The Power of Moms is an Amazon Affiliate. If you link to and purchase a book we recommend on Amazon’s website, we will receive a small commission. However, we only make honest endorsements on products we know and use ourselves. Thanks for your support!
Thanks for a great recommendation! I want to read it.