Lady and the Tribe

November 11, 2021

Lady and the Tribe

Lady and the Tribe

by Brenda Billings Ridgley

Non-fiction, Self-help

Wives, mothers, and career women—we have all fallen victim to the silent epidemic that is, literally . . . letting ourselves go. Not the makeup free, yoga pants, weight gain routine. Little by little, we have allowed our preferences, interests, and individuality to slip away until we no longer recognize ourselves outside of our role as wives, mothers, or professionals. Who we are has become what we do.

In the process, our friendships have become the casualty of a “busy life” and lack consistency and depth. We have a gaping hole inside us that longs to be filled. How do we reclaim who we really are and fill this empty space that seemed to appear from nowhere? The answer lies in our Tribe. Our best friends see us more clearly than we see ourselves and are representations and extensions of our individuality. They are our companions, cheerleaders, and counselors—always in our corner. They are the branches of our tree of life that lift and support us, so we can flourish. Our Tribe is the family with whom we choose to live our life . . . with no strings attached.

Lady and the Tribe is a blueprint for building deep connections. As you read, you’ll be swept away on a journey of friendship as the author shares her own personal stories and those of other women. In the process, you’ll discover how to find, nurture, and deepen friendships and create a Tribe culture that is unique to you.

We can become whole again through the power of connection.

When three or more gather, we are Tribe.

Excerpt:

The Tribe

Traditionally, a Tribe is a social division in society consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties. Some Tribes have a common culture and dialect, and typically they have a recognized leader. A customary Tribe is a face-to-face community, relatively bound by kinship relations, reciprocal exchange, and strong ties to place.

The term Tribe should be utilized only with great respect and consideration of its origins. It is with the term’s heritage in mind that I aspire to create that culture with my closest friends. This social division, group, or pack are linked by common social patterns, interests, and sometimes, goals. As the group connects together over time, they establish the Tribe’s personality, lingo, patterns, and rituals.

Your Tribal space feels like home when you arrive. It is safe, encouraging and makes you feel relevant because you are truly seen. Your Tribe cares about your opinions and what you have to say. They are proud of your talents and strengths and are not threatened by your success. Your Tribe will promote rather than ignore or diminish your wins. Although these close friends can be a great influence for you to be better and do better, there is no contest; you do not feel competitive with one another. The experience of finding your Tribe can be life changing. It becomes a mirror reaffirming who you are and where you belong.

About the Author

BRENDA RIDGLEY is an author, speaker, and girlfriend guru who loves helping women connect, find success, and discover joy through friendship. Her mission is to start a movement: women coming together to build thousands of new Lady Tribes around the globe. Through her workshops, vlogs, blogs, and book clubs, Brenda helps women connect and communicate with respect, love, and trust. She holds an MA in human resources and has spent decades cultivating her own Tribe. A Colorado girl at heart, Brenda lives in the Carbon Valley area with her husband, Parker, two kids, Parker Jr. and Gillian, and pooch, Perry. She enjoys hiking and has conquered Longs Peak and several other 14’ers.

Q&A With the Author

When did you first consider yourself to be a writer?

Recently! Once I completed my first manuscript Lady and the Tribe, in April of 2021 my husband said “You’re an Author!” and I suppose that is when it sunk in.

What advice do you have for a new writer?

Don’t wait for everything to be perfect to start writing! It will never happen that way. Once you are inspired get going! Decide on a do-able goal each day or week. I challenged myself to write 500 words per day. I did not get that done every day but each week my average was over 3500 words. Yours can be bigger or smaller but consistency is key.

I also advise that you hire professionals to help you with the editing process, especially when self-publishing. Just because you want to publish sooner, keep the rights to your book, and maintain control, you still want it to be competitive and as professional as a traditionally published book. Both my mother and mother-in-law were teachers and I asked them each to proof my manuscript. I thought that would probably be good enough. My mother-in-law who taught English & writing strongly encouraged me to go to the next level and hire a book editor. I can attest that it made all the difference in the quality of my end product.

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?

I was surprised at how easily the first draft of my manuscript came together. I did not experience writers block even once. I attribute that to the fact that I am passionate about helping women connect, or re-connect, with the friendships that bring them joy. We have become disconnected as a society with a virtual option for everything. We weren’t created to go it alone!

To connect with Brenda, visit her website at www.BrendaRidgley.com.

Invite Brenda to speak at your next event: mailto:brenda@brendaridgley.com.

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GIVEAWAY

Brenda Billings Ridgley will be awarding a Cape Diablo wrap bracelet and a $25 Amazon Gift Card (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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