I read the following quote the other day from my friend, Zara Green (who is an author, speaker and trainer specializing in personal growth.) She said:

Growth happens during the storms of life.

Everyone will experience challenges/storms in life (no one is exempt.) But the differences come from how people deal with those storms. Some people get caught up in the storms, as if they are sucked into this vicious never-ending tornado of raw emotions or a continuous cycle of bad choices. And they never make it through to the other side. While others ride the storms, and the ups and downs that come with them. And they fight their way out….only to discover what’s waiting for them on the other side. 

On the other side, you’ll discover that you are stronger than you thought you were.

This is why I am so happy to be partnering with the makers of Pine-Sol® Products on the ‘When Life Gets Tough, Women Rise Above It’ campaign that encourages women from across the country to contribute their own stories of triumph.

If you go out to the Pine-Sol® Women Rise Above It website, https://www.pinesol.com/rise-above, you can read a moving collection of stories by women that have risen above and that are here today to tell their stories of how they overcame life’s challenges.  It’s very inspiring.  Many of these women have overcome self-doubt, abusive relationships, critical illnesses such as cancer, and the death of loved ones.  But they are still here to tell their stories…in hopes that it will show others that there is truly growth through the storms.

My Aunt Shannon provides a perfect example of a woman that is persevering.  A little less than 2 years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I was really devastated when I found out.  And when I finally got up the nerve to call her (as I was apprehensive because I wasn’t sure if she wanted to talk and I was saddened by the news and didn’t want to upset her) she told me that she spent a couple of days crying and distraught about the diagnosis and that she couldn’t get out of bed. She took her moment to feel her emotions, but then she sprang into action to get the necessary treatment that she needed. She has been cancer free for 1 ½ years and through it all her strength has been an inspiration to us all.

If you have a story of perseverance, then this is your chance to share it with the world and to inspire other women who may also be going through challenges.  Also, by entering your story, you will have a chance to win many great prizes, such as:

• Once a week for 12 weeks, Pine-Sol® will award one lucky winner small tokens of appreciation (Flower bouquet +  Pine-Sol® coupons)
• Three first prize winners will receive complimentary house cleaning services for a year
• One grand prize winner will be awarded an all-inclusive trip to enjoy a peaceful spa experience at a deluxe hotel.

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BMWK – what challenges have you faced that you were able to rise above? Please share with us below and then take a few minutes to enter the sweepstakes…after all who would not love free house cleaning for a year or a trip to a peaceful spa.

Sweepstakes Rules: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Open to legal residents of the 50 United States & D.C. 18 years and older.  Ends 1/31/14 at 11:59 a.m. PT.  To enter and for Official Rules, including odds, and prize descriptions, visit www.womenriseaboveit.com. Void where prohibited.

This post is brought to you by the makers of Pine-Sol® Products. I have partnered with them to spread the word about the ‘When Life Gets Tough, Women Rise Above It’ campaign and sweepstakes. To enter the sweepstakes, visit  www.womenRiseAboveIt.com. All opinions and stories are my own.