There were so many times I look back and see how much I didn't love myself. 

I have this harsh inner critic that tells me I will never be good enough.  Good enough for what?...for anything.  This is a belief that was embedded at a very young age.  I love my parents and grandparents, and there were many moments where I felt, and believed, their love was conditional.  They gave me so many wonderful memories, and the harsh words and behaviors stuck around for a very long time. 

When I made good grades, I was praised with words and money.  When I made a B, my grandmother told me how angry and disappointed she was in me with words I would never speak to my children, and a lashing I would never wish upon anyone. 

When I was "too large" at the tender age of 11, I was brought to Weight Watchers, where I would weigh in weekly in front of other women twice my age.  I began noticing the difference in my body compared to others.  I...

"If you want to go fast, you go alone.  If you want to go far, we go together". 

These words came from my Rise to Power Ride Cycle instructor at 5:15 this morning, who may have gotten it from a variety of people since nobody truly knows where this quote originated.  

I had been thinking about what I wanted to write for my next blog article and it hit me right then and there.  Community and Connection.  Through the past few weeks, I had started and stopped writing so many blog articles.  None of them seemed to adequately explain what I have been noticing, thinking, and experiencing in my life.  There was some self criticism in this process that I "should" be able to bang this stuff out, yet as I write this today, I know it was just the process I needed to come to this perfect topic.  

There are countless articles with studies showing that every successful woman has a community of successful women behind her, cheering her on...