Backwards and in high heels

I'm fairly certain that everybody has heard the quote about Ginger Rogers (for you young'un's an amazing dancer in the 30s and 40s) that says, "Sure Fred Astaire was great, but Ginger Rogers did the same thing only backwards and in high heels!"

I've loved this line forever. Perhaps because I loved those movies and still do so I could visualize exactly what it meant. Fred Astaire was light on his feet and could glide across the floor.

But Ginger! She wore the most beautiful dresses that floated with her and heels that looked terribly painful. And the same thing he did, backwards.

I don't put labels on myself when it comes to being a feminist or not because I think the label is antiquated at this point. Equal is equal no matter. But I do believe that it takes a lot more work for a woman to make her way in the world more than a man. Even in 2012.

Especially in the South. For all it's charm and grace, living in the deep South comes with it's own unique set of assumptions I must hurdle.

But I've found that only one thing has made the difference in how I am treated by my peers, my superiors and other business people I come in contact with every day.

And it's me.

How I am treated is determined by how I allow myself to be treated and how I treat others.

I treat others with respect and I expect to be treated that way in return.

I use kind words and encourage others and expect that in return.

I am open and honest to myself and with those I work and I expect that in return.

I have clear expectations and communicate that to those around me and I want clear directives given to me as well.

And you know what? This works for me. There are days that unfortunately I fail miserably but in the long run, it's okay. Because I work my way. Even if my feet hurt from the high heels.