Coffee, Cocktails, and Clarity: Real Women, Real Talk for Personal and Professional Development
Join me for candid and inspiring conversations that dive deep into the real issues we as women face like our career challenges, personal struggles, navigating invisible illnesses, and learning how to effectively lead and communicate from every seat at the table. We'll explore everything from overcoming challenges to celebrating successes, all with a relatable and authentic touch.
I’m here to support, inspire, and connect. Think of it as a conversation with your girlfriend, where you can be yourself, share your experiences, and find support, inspiration, and practical advice all over a coffee or cocktail – you choose.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a working professional, or simply looking to grow and connect with other women, “Coffee, Cocktails, and Clarity” is your go-to podcast for honest, inspiring, and empowering conversations.
Coffee, Cocktails, and Clarity: Real Women, Real Talk for Personal and Professional Development
Where There Is Mud There Is Water
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SHOW DESCRIPTION
How can mud symbolize the challenges women face in life and work? Shai reflects on her journey from avoiding dirt to finding peace in gardening. She shares profound wisdom from actress Victoria Rowell and connects it to our daily struggles and triumphs. Together, we can transform muddy challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.
TL;DR
This episode emphasizes transforming “muddy” challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.
Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction: Learning to Pay With Dirt
00:49 A Memorable Encounter with Victoria Rowell
02:13 Welcome to Coffee, Cocktails, and Clarity
03:21 Navigating Life's Muddy Situations
06:10 Finding Strength and Growth in Adversity
07:23 Embracing Hope and Change
09:59 Conclusion and Call to Action
RESOURCES
Note: I do not have any affiliations with, sponsorships or endorsements from any of the resources mentioned. They are listed for your reference.
Mud Bath Benefits
Victoria Rowell’s Book
“The Women Who Raised Me” by Victoria Rowell
Mental Health Resources
· Psychology Today
Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
· National Institute of Mental Health
Website: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Sexual Violence Resources
· RAIIN
Ph: 800.656.HOPE (4673)
Website: https://rainn.org/
Substance Abuse Resources
· Alcoholics Anonymous
Website: https://www.aa.org/
· Al-Anon Family Groups
Website: https://al-anon.org/
CONNECT WITH ME
Join my fan page at FanList.com/CoffeeCocktailsClarity and share your thoughts on this episode, ask questions, or share your story.
Shai Boston on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shaiboston/
Shai Boston on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shaiboston
Shai Boston on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaiBostonLLC
Credits
Editor: Payton Cross
For many of us, there's nothing like working in a garden. I wasn't much of an outdoor girl growing up, I admit. But don't get me wrong I went through my girly tomboy phase where I'd play softball in skirts, tights, and flats And yes, I'd steal bases and slide into home plate, which was a sight everybody could not believe. But I didn't care much for getting my hands dirty really. As I started getting into gardening around the time of the pandemic and due in part to my husband starting a gardening program at a his school, I started to feel a sense of peace and calm while working in the garden. I was feeling that same feeling as I was transferring some plants from our indoor hydroponics garden system to their new pot homes. As I poured water into the soil to prepare it to accept the roots of the plants, I suddenly recalled a saying that actress Victoria Rowell, primarily known for her role of Drusilla Winters on"The Young and The Restless"- yes, her- she shared with me many years ago. We met when she was a guest speaker for our Black History Month event when I was working at Royal Caribbean. And as the Chair of the event, I had the privilege of meeting Ms. Rowell. And I got to escort her around the offices, we talked, we exchanged stories because my family was a family of foster parents. At the end of the event, she gave me a signed copy of her book called which was her memoir about her years in foster care and beyond. It was actually an ode to the women that raised her during those times. After signing with some pleasantries, she ended her autograph with a quote that she attributed to a West African proverb. And it says,"Where there is mud there is water." With my hands in the moist soil, gently placing the roots into a carefully dug hole, I thought of how often we are all in mud... sometimes sinking... and never realizing there is also water.
Hi ladies, I'm Shai, and I'm so excited to welcome you to Coffee, Cocktails, and Clarity. As a woman navigating my own journey, I've experienced the ups and downs, the triumphs and challenges that come with being a woman in today's world. I created this podcast as a space for us to have authentic conversations and connections to share stories and inspire each other. Let's break down barriers, celebrate our successes and support one another on this journey together. So take a sip, sit back and let's have a chat.
Shai Boston:As I said I didn't really play in dirt when I played outside. I rode bikes, I played tag, kickball, tetherball, I did everything else, but I didn't play with the dirt let alone mud. In a way, I guess I really didn't like getting dirty in that sense. Yet, as women, especially working women. We often find ourselves in the mud... and not always because of our doing. Sometimes the mud gets splashed on us like when someone is throwing shade because we received acknowledgement for a great job we've done. Other times we find ourselves sinking in mud because we're overloaded by work that we either chose to take on or that has been piled upon us because our coworkers are overworked or they just aren't doing their job or we may just have ineffective leadership. In our personal lives, we may feel stuck in a relationship that isn't serving our needs anymore, if it ever did. We could be sinking under the weight of caregiving or dealing with our own health challenges. Maybe we're struggling with loneliness, lack of self-worth or just feeling like we're going nowhere fast and just barely existing in this whole mulch of emotions. While some of us may not choose to play in the mud, or be stuck in it, it's quite useful when we realize that where there is mud, there is water. You know, when I made my Cafe Bustelo, decaf of course, and my beverage of choice for today's episode, I looked at the coffee grounds and thought about how they work with water to make the most delectable cup of coffee. It's the same with mud, without water, mud is just dirt. It can shift, and become unsteady, especially if not packed tightly. And that's when we look for some water to help make it thicker if we need it to be thicker, because that'll help us stand firm, or if it's too thick, we need water to loosen things up a bit. And if we get the consistency just right, then the mud that is made can be beneficial. It's documented that mud baths help to draw out impurities from our bodies, namely the skin. They can help with achy joints and muscles, they can exfoliate the skin and so much more. Now, we know it's not all mud that's beneficial, so we can't just run outside and dig up the dirt in our backyard and slap some water in it and think that's going to work. It takes the right mix of properties, the right type of mud, but you get the point. Mud has its benefits. And so does the mud in our life. When I think of the muddy situations that I've been in in life, it never ceases to amaze me the lessons I learn once I'm out of it, or even that I learn while being in it. Since I have no choice, but to stand still to figure out how to get out... or how to grow, I've learned that there are lessons I can learn from being in mud. Being in a work situation where we have no choice but to stay in the mire gives us an opportunity to learn about ourselves and our character, and how we deal with adverse situations. For some of us, we learned that we are stronger than we thought. Perhaps we discover qualities that we did not realize we possessed: it might be endurance, assertiveness, the ability to communicate effectively, or we find we are influential and transformational leaders, able to stand above everything else and help others to grow. In our personal lives, we may discover our self-love and self- worth, which motivates us to leave an unhealthy situation. We may learn to be alone without feeling lonely because our lives are rich and full of genuine friends and a thriving support system. We see the value in being an active part of a community. Through all circumstances, we learn to embrace the fact that nothing, nothing is or ever will be perfect, but if there's mud, there's water-- that water is our hope that things will get better. That water becomes our lifeline to loosen up the mud that is hardening around us and trying to choke us-- the water allows us the room and the space to breathe and be alive. The water lets us know that everything will be okay. And, like the plants whose roots I put into the mud, we can grow and thrive. You will be faced with constant muddy challenges. Some will require support from others to help us stand strong until we can be strong on our own. Others will require that we add nutrients to make mud for us, much like adding plant food to soil, and these nutrients will help us to grow personally and professionally so we can determine what to do next-- that we can get out or grow and thrive. You see, some plants, have to be uprooted and put into better soil or a better soil-plant food mix. Or they have to have their pot put into a new environment where they can get more sunlight or more water. Whether we change companies, departments within the company, switch careers, stay in a relationship or leave, keep some of the same friends and support systems or go out and get new ones; or we stand still allowing our support systems to help us while we soak in their love to help us heal, grow, and thrive-- the mud only works to our advantage when we have water. Water can rinse away the muddy residue that stays with us long after we're finished being in the dirt. The water is our hope. The water can bring about change. The water can be our lifeline. We may not like dirt. We may not like being in muddy situations. But just remember they both serve the same purpose. We just need to add some water.
Whether it's our first conversation or we've been talking for a while, thank you for taking the time to chat with me today. While you finish your beverage, take some time to meditate on today's conversation and journal your thoughts and feelings. If you liked today's conversation and you haven't already done so, please subscribe to podcast. Then download this episode. Don't forget to join my fan page on Fanlist.com/CoffeeCocktailsClarity where you can share your thoughts on the episode, ask questions, or share your story. You never know, I may feature you in a future episode with your consent, of course. You can also follow me on social media. The links will be in the show notes. I hope our chat helped you to see things more clearly. I always enjoy talking with you. So let's take some time for us to get together again soon for some Coffee, Cocktails, and Clarity.
