The Matriarch Rules

Chapter 8The Payoff Is Personal

By now, I hope it's clear to you that the underlying message of this book, the essential ingredient, the most consequential factor in becoming a Matriarch, is confidence. I hope you also recognize that the stories I've shared with you, the tools that I've given you, and the “Matriarch Must-Do's” that I've assigned to you, are all designed to help you build that confidence.

You see, if I've learned nothing else in the years I've walked this earth, it's that the confidence I build in one aspect of my life can easily be applied to others, which makes the payoff really personal.

Confidence Can Overcome an Old Message

When I was a little girl, maybe seven years old, there was a TV show for kids. At the end of the show, the host would invite all the kids from the audience to come down and dance to the show's theme song. It was my favorite part and I would get up and dance with those kids right there in my living room. I danced like no one was watching, except, one day, people were watching …

My parents were in the living room and they started laughing hysterically as I swung my body around the living room without inhibition. I was in my happy place and loving the experience of participating in that dance party. For a moment I thought they were laughing at the pleasure I was having, but I quickly realized that wasn't the case.

Through their laughter, I could hear them say, “She can't hear the beat!” and “I can't believe she can't dance!” They were ...