Women, Money, And Getting What You're Worth

      It's amazing to me how the small, mundane parts of my life meld into the epiphanies that change my life. Everyday for several years, I've rolled out of bed at 6-7am (depending on how much discipline I have on any given day) and wander into the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day. Like most Americans, I turn the news on as my brain wakes up and the water heats up. I flip between MSNBC and Fox, depending on whoever isn't playing commercials.
      Over the years I've watched Mika Brzezinski as the cohost of Morning Joe along with the other talking heads that parade on and off of news shows.
      In the early years of the show, Mika always seemed impatient or angry, short tempered or like someone put lemons in her coffee. 
      Then, after a few years, she seemed to mellow out and I took this to mean I'd been watching too much liberal TV. But then it became clear she was just happy, at peace somehow, and I could tell the difference because well, I'm a woman and we know these things. But after the shower is over and my day starts, I never gave it more thought. Just another useless inner conversation at 6:30a.m while naked in my bathroom. 

      So what does all this have to do with you? With women, money, and knowing what we are worth? 
Everything. 
      In 2010 Mika Brzezinski released the book "Knowing Your Value" and I heard some talk of it on the morning shows, but let it flow in and out of my brain like I do most news. But then, a few years ago, I stumbled upon this little gem.

      So there I stood, towel half hanging from my hip, mirrors fogged from the heat and tears streaming down my face after watching her speak. What I perceived as coldness, was in fact strength. She spoke directly to the heart of the matter-me. 
      I quickly opened my notes application and typed in "Knowing Your Value by Mika". 

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      It wasn't until months later that I found myself completely dressed in Walmart holding her book and shouting, "This is that book about women!!" My partner just looked at, shrugged and I gleefully wrapped my arms around the book as we strolled the rest of the store. ​

      That night, after the dishes were clean, and the kids in bed, I plopped down and opened the book, aiming to devour it's very pages. As a heavy reader I find that words are the ingredients of compositions writers create, that we can see, smell, and taste. It's art and Mika is certainly an artist. "Knowing Your Value" was a New York Times Bestseller and still is highly rated all over the world. The Atlantic.com says "A rallying cry for women to get the money they deserve." 
      And it is that, but so much more. Mika writes conversationally, honestly, and raw. You can feel yourself in her shoes, and go on a journey to understand her more deeply. 
      She tells her own story, which I won't ruin for you here, and then interviews women of all different statuses. In between her findings, she weaves the tapestry of her own life story and you can't help but fall in love with her.  Mika is no longer this random talking head, she's your sister, your friend; she's you. 

We highly recommend this book for all women, but especially those who are working, or are on a journey to know themselves on a deeper level. This book will help you see yourself more clearly, will give you more confidence and undoubtedly will change the way you feel about yourself. 
You can buy "Knowing Your Value" just about anywhere and is usually under $15.  It's worth the money, and will leave you feeling more confident, strong and ready to get to work! 

See it at Walmart

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