Some Days It's Okay to Scream

I am a mother, a marketing executive, a Redwing fan, a Detroiter, an Owner, an Award Winner, a Volunteer, a Wife, a Friend, a Sister and so many more labels. One label that I love best is a Girl Scout Troop leader. I lead a Girl Scout troop and I can tell you that these girls have taught me more than I think I could ever teach them.

Last weekend, we had our annual overnight camping trip. I was really looking forward to it (an emotion that has been void in my life lately). We were set to go hiking and rock climbing. We were going canoeing and doing a pond adventure class. Everything was set up and ready to go. Here is the thing...I don't think it mattered if I planned anything, what mattered to them was hanging out with their friends and making memories. When we arrived, I swear all the birds and animals must have left the forest because these girls were screaming their heads off with excitement. And guess what...I let them. It's okay to scream. It's okay to enjoy a moment and get so excited you will burst. Throughout the weekend, I watched them discover new things, go 48 hours without electronics and see them use their imaginations. I got to see their eyes light up because they conquered a fear and I got to see them get frustrated when things were hard. I got to see them cheer each other on and really have each other's backs (what you want any friend to do). I got to see them tell scary stories around the camp fire and create crazy troop dances. I got to see the natural born leaders step up and the more reserved children come out of their shells. What was just supposed to be a camping trip, turned into this childish world that I love getting sucked into. (similar to when you take your kid to Disney) We played and ate sugar. We had so much fun that it was actually really sad to leave.

So my challenge for you today is to scream, because it is okay. Scream because something exciting is happening to you and you need to let it out. These girls didn't care if anyone was watching them scream, they just did because they couldn't hold it in anymore. So let it out.