Coming Back Up for Air

June 2, 2016
And so here it is. After years of not writing, and trying to juggle, and having something to say, but what has felt like no time to say it, I am blogging again.

It feels good.

I had one of those days today. One of those inspiring, soul affirming, yes I am in the right job and place and calling and at the right moment, types of days. Isn’t that amazing? How often does that happen? It’s been a while for me.

I got to attend CARE’s Gender Equity and Diversity Training yesterday and today, and it was amazing. I felt like I was in my own skin and soul, exploring topics and using skills and muscles that I was meant to use. It felt like home. Then I got to have dinner (and even drinks,) with a like-minded colleague to strategize through how we could bring this to our own organization, FHI 360. It felt like I had a comrade in the fight, and one who shares my optimism and enthusiasm for the journey. How lucky am I.

This, combined with getting to go to the Women Deliver Conference in Copenhagen recently and connect with my dear friend Ann, getting to spend 36 hours in France and reconnect with my friend Stephanie (and even have 8 hours to myself tromping through Paris,) and helping to plan and prepare for the big 2 day Gender Summit that we’re hosting at FHI 360 on June 15-16 in partnership with global south organizations and youth ambassadors from around the world, and the recent open-heart conversation with my husband Mark and our mutual recommitment to better communication, has helped me to reconnect to myself in deep ways. 

This feels like the Elise Young that I know…like the Elise Young that I like.