This month’s theme is Gather Support Around You. For January, we focused on Knowing the Self. February was about Finding and Following Our Passions. March had the theme of Learning is Key.

For this month we will be exploring what it means to explore, create and build our alliances. We all have networks of people who are connected to us. How close are our alliances? Are our alliances strong and secure, or weak and easily broken?

Gathering support has to do with our friends, our family , and our intimate partners. Gathering support also means knowing who NOT to tell about your latest goal or dream if that person will dissuade or discourage you.

Knowing people well allows you to know who you want to have close to you, and perhaps who you need to distance yourself from. Some “friends” will actually drain your energy and keep you from reaching your highest successes. It is imperative to know who is truly on your side.

Yet other people in your life, however, are your “Loving Mirrors,” as my friend, Noah St. John, would say. These are the people who see the best in you. They believe in you, know your *potential* and reflect back to you the BEST you that you can be.

These are the people you want to cultivate, keep around you, and lean on when you need support and encouragement. People are what will create your foundation! Both those you lead, those you follow, and those in your circle are the stuff of which your LIFE is made…

Those closest to us determine not only who we are, but also what we are able to become!

We know that there are times for formal mentors. Sometimes you might find yourself in a formal mentorship program. However, at many other times, you’ll find yourself in informal mentorship settings. We both play mentor and mentee at various times and figuring out who you admire and how to learn what they do is key to your growth.

And, of course, it is also important to remember that WE are also the foundation for others. We are the “helping hand,” the shoulder to cry on, and the leader and role model for others in our circle. It’s never too early to give back – someone always needs the knowledge and wisdom you can share.

All of these ideas, and more, will be explored during this month. Here’s to the sisterhood (and larger familia) of support!

Author's Bio: 

Aurelia Flores wants to offer a learning opportunity to other women who might find themselves in similar shoes. She strongly believes women can learn from other women, no matter where they are in their career or life path.

Aurelia Flores went from single teenage mother in an abusive relationship to Stanford Law School grad and Senior Counsel for a Fortune 500 company and has overcome obstacles and founded Powerful Latinas to get Latina women to learn and share with one another. Powerful-Latinas mission is “helping powerful Latina women stay grounded in their power!” To find out more, go to www.PowerfulLatinas.com .