Woman Wednesday: Rachel Francis

There are few people in this world I feel are as strong as my friend Rachel. On the surface level, she is physically strong. She introduced me to boxing, a sport of grit. Within, she was already but has also extremely flourished as a person of compassion. After visiting her for a weekend, I was completely distraught. She works with the homeless population in Portland and if I were her I would have crumbled in a week, but she has persevered through a year of difficult service.

"Gratitude! Expressing my gratitude to others, God, and myself as much as possible is what makes me strong. I have so much to be grateful for, and I could not do it alone. So, I try to start every day with an affirmation, giving thanks for my health, loved ones and communities who uplift me, gifts/talents, obstacles that encourage growth, this planet, etc. This reminds me of my own strengths, but also of how much I have received. That makes me want to give of myself more. 

Similarly, I am surrounded by friends and family who find joy in the simplest things. Having that sort of positive support system inspires me to do the same.

When I am faced with a challenge, I find that gratitude breeds optimism, which allows me to come from a place of abundance rather than scarcity and kick ass in the most compassionate way possible!"