Standing Firm: When Courage Meets Resistance

🪷 There comes a time when silence feels like betrayal—and standing firm becomes sacred.

The Voices That Echo “You Can’t”

What if it’s not you? Or it is you—just not for the reasons you’ve been led to believe.

The snide remarks, the eye rolls, the dismissive chuckles—those aren’t reflections of your worth. Yet they can hurt. They can slice at the heart. They’re projections of fear, discomfort, and sometimes jealousy from others. When we, especially as women over 50, choose to step out of our comfort zones and show up in the world with boldness, we disrupt the status quo. And not everyone is ready for that—including other women.

But the universe gets us. It always has. Maybe the universe has cast you in a plan you’re only beginning to understand.

Taking a Stand Isn’t Always Applauded

Throughout my adult life, I’ve taken stands—some celebrated, others ostracized. One vivid example was when I joined a local county board overseeing the fair. The “good old boys” had been running things the same way for decades, blind to the fact that the world had moved on. When I asked for accountability—on behalf of taxpayers, including myself—I was met with resistance cloaked in tradition. Open belittlement at board meetings followed, and it goes on…

Publicly, the county commissioners were appalled by the questions I asked. Privately, they whispered, “We need you to shake things up, keep demanding answers, but we can’t say that out loud.” Yet they still allocated the tax dollars to the good old boys, despite being aware of the dysfunction and lack of accountability.

Eleven years of mending relationships followed. One small-town mayor even said, “You’re Renee? I thought you’d fly in on a broom. You’re actually nice.” He’d been fed a narrative by those clinging to power. But we broke through that story—and the organization we both cared about was better for it. Why? Because I chose to stick it out and follow it through. Despite the hurt and false narratives being pushed.

When Boundaries Reveal Misalignment

Another moment of clarity came during my time in corporate America. I managed a food service program with a catering arm. After months of meetings, we created guidelines for food brought in by outside entertainers. Not even a week later, the activities director asked for an exception. I was stunned. I had given my time—my most precious commodity—to build a plan she didn’t want to follow at her request.

I said no, and found myself being confronted by our boss. I was even asked why I was being so difficult. My time had meant nothing. My voice went unheard.

I stood my ground. And in that moment, I realized my values weren’t being honored. That job, my boss, and the company, no longer aligned with my true north. I walked out two days later.

Cleaning House: A Sacred Act of Alignment

There are times in life when we must clean house. That means shedding jobs, relationships, organizations, and even identities that no longer serve our highest purpose. Sometimes we fight for what we believe. Sometimes we walk away. I’ve done both.

Because of that, I’ve lost jobs—and gained opportunities. I’ve been called a hard ass—and invited to lead causes forward. Looking back, I see a pattern: I’ve been moving toward a life fully aligned with my personal beliefs. Did I know it then? No. I was made to feel like a troublemaker, a pot-stirrer, someone not to be taken seriously when I went against societal norms—or hailed as a savior and changemaker, depending on where you stood.

From Self-Doubt to Soulful Clarity

That narrative often led to self-doubt, unhappiness, and the aching question: Will I ever find peace?

The truth? When I was pursuing what aligned with my core values, I was at peace. The contrasting back-and-forth can be exhausting, however. Until we acknowledge we’re on that path, we can’t move beyond it. You have to pick one.

When I opened my heart and mind, I saw the higher purpose unfolding. Each obstacle became an opportunity. Each challenge led to realignment and reimagination. And each pivot brought me closer to clarity.

I wasn’t wrong. I was simply standing firm in my own moral compass—as a boundary-keeper, a truth-teller, and a torchbearer of change. That realization is liberating, empowering, and a huge motivational aspect of moving forward.

Pause for a moment: Where in your life have you been misunderstood for standing in your truth? What did it cost you—and what did it reveal?

For Every Woman Who’s Been Misunderstood

If you’ve ever felt like the world was aligned against you… Like your courage was mistaken for rebellion… Like your truth was too much…

You’re not alone.

As women in midlife, we have so much to give. Our wisdom, our resilience, our fire—it’s time to rise. It’s time to release the shackles that may be holding us back and support one another. It’s time to honor and nurture the brave hearts among us who dare to speak truth, ask for accountability, and live in alignment.

It’s time to wear our battle scars with pride and purpose, to honor the journey not just the destination. 

We are not too much. We are just enough. And the world needs our voice now more than ever.

🪷 May we rise with grace, speak with fire, and walk with unwavering truth. May our midlife be not a quiet retreat—but a radiant revolution.