I shared on instagram a couple of weeks ago that we are doing Legally Blonde The Musical for our spring show at school this year, and I am directing again. We have just gotten started, and I am already loving the process like usual (though the schedule is always tricky- I am so thankful that it falls in my slower photography season!).  While it is filled with pink and blonde and sorority and “Ohmigod” over and over again, I have always loved this show (and the movie before it). I shared with the kids during auditions that Elle Woods and her blonde power, and Carrie Underwood and her EVERYTHING power, always made me so proud to be a blonde, even in a world of dumb blonde jokes (and a few brunette hairdos myself!).  There is a quote in this show that my co-directors (who happen to be 2 dear friends of mine!) and I love, and that we are trying to really teach our ladies about:

“We girls have to stick together. We shouldn’t try to look good by making each other look bad.” – Elle Woods

As their teacher now, it is so easy to see the ways in which they put each other down or don’t support each other. And it is easy to think “Thank GOD I am past that stage”- and in many ways, I am. I personally believe that the gossip cycle is one of the hardest thing teenage girls are facing- and certainly was for me. But the truth is, I am not sure this is something that is really “outgrown”. I think it looks very different as an adult, and it isn’t in the hallways at school.  In my circle of friends, it generally isn’t on facebook either – I am not sure how to relate to someone who was using social media as a weapon in that way.  BUT…it is still a battle and struggle within. I shared a little about this last week while sharing my 2017 JGP goals, but for me it really isn’t about how I view anyone else as it is an issue of how I view me. And of how willing I am to stand up when that gossip happens around me, or starts to rise up in me, and put a stop to it.  We live in a competitive world, and I work in a very competitive field.  It would be so easy to believe that I am “up against” a small army of extremely talented, smart, beautiful women who are photographing weddings and families and teaching photographers and have beautiful websites and branding and that therefore they are somehow a threat to me- and I do let myself fall into that spiral sometimes. But then I have to remind myself- their journey is not my own. Our stories are not the same, we don’t work the same, we don’t shoot the same- and that is the beauty of it all.  We are all different- and there is a place for all of us.  AND…the people who are succeeding?  They aren’t dampening lessening my ability to succeed.   The same way that gossip, the putting others down lie doesn’t raise you up or make you look better, other’s success doesn’t make you less successful.  

And THAT is what I want our high school girls to get.  I want them to understand and believe that the ONLY way to work together as a team, to have real deep meaningful friendships that can carry them into adulthood, is to constantly build each other up. To celebrate community OVER competition.  To defend each other, stand up for each other, and fight for each other.  And to realize that supporting another’s success doesn’t lessen their shine.  Just like in my own life and world.  And just like in yours, friend!

We girls have to stick together.