🖋️ The Lioness Journals | July 28, 2025
This week, I want to talk about something that’s been on my heart—a foundational truth about what it really takes to reclaim and ignite the inner spark we all carry. Lately, I have been struggling to remain motivated, focused, and inspired. I have alluded to the challenges I am facing in previous posts. Unfortunately, what is transpiring in my career and work-life has started to bleed into my personal life and self-esteem. It’s left me feeling somewhat deflated and quite disappointed.
Let me share some more context. I find myself in a situation where my skills as a leader and as a technical expert are not being fully utilized. I know this is not uncommon. And it’s not for lack of trying on my part. It is a result of what I believe are unconscious biases about how I present myself: assertive, tenacious, full of grit, bold, confident, and audacious. These are all personal traits that cause discomfort in those around me. And I find myself confronted with those biases on a regular basis, now.
But, there is a positive side—a silver lining, if you will—to the shift I am seeing in my career. In fact, I had such an obvious a-ha moment over the weekend that it made me laugh out loud. Allow me to share my experience with you.
I was journaling on Saturday and really unleashing all my frustrations about how tired I am of being pushed aside, diminished, excluded, and even blamed for not doing better or doing more. I am an overachiever who pours my very heart and soul into everything I do, including work.
And as I was writing, I saw the words on the page: Why am I being treated this way? Why am I not being included in discussions about aspect X of this project? Why this, and why that?
That’s when it hit me: Why am I acting like a victim? Why am I allowing those perceptions and feelings to take root in my mind? Why am I letting those feelings take up space? I know without a doubt that I have done everything right and that I am giving the most I can possibly give. So, why am I allowing these feelings to extinguish my inner spark?
And that’s the moment I laughed—because it became so obvious to me. We are so conditioned as professionals to garner validation from our careers, our jobs, and our roles in the workplace that when we no longer feel valued, we allow it to affect the core of who we are.
And here’s the part that hit me the hardest:
If I allow other people to have the ability to extinguish my inner spark, then I give them full control over my life, my path, my destiny.
And that’s not ok. I laughed because I decided in that moment, to take back my superpower, and to do it with intent and with purpose.
As a leader, my role is to inspire others to do more and to be more. I know that I am a great leader—I lead with empathy and compassion. Those are strengths, not weaknesses. I am deliberate, intentional, and passionate in my leadership style, and I know my team admires that in me.
In that moment, as I was journaling, I paused and reflected. And I gave myself permission to reclaim my inner spark. To not allow someone else’s perception of my value to extinguish the flame that is burning. I committed to myself in that moment that I would rise up, elevate myself, reclaim my energy, and reignite the parts of me that I have allowed to grow quiet. And I commit this to you, right now: My joy, energy, and passion are not just “extras”—they are fuel that I will use to help you remember your roar and reclaim your inner spark.
This is the premise of Part II of my book, Roar Like A Woman. And it seems only fitting to me that I share a small excerpt from the introduction section of Part II, Energy, Joy and Passion:
“This section is your permission slip to reclaim your spark. These are words that energize—words that give you permission to play, to express, to risk, to radiate. These words will remind you that joy is not a luxury—it’s a birthright. And energy isn’t something you have to chase; it’s something you can cultivate by aligning with your purpose, your curiosity, and your desires.”
So, let me ask you this: What fuels your inner spark? What fuels your fire?
🔥Spark Check-in:
As you step into this new week, reflect on the following:
· What drains you? What refuels you and ignites your passion?
· When do you feel the most alive?
· What would your week look like if joy were a priority and not a reward?
I’m reclaiming my spark—and reigniting the fire that I let fade to a glowing ember. I hope this week, you will remember your value and your worth.
Your spark matters. Protect it. Fuel it. And then let it ROAR.
📖 Want More?
There’s a fire within every woman—every person. My challenge to you is to take control of your own passion and your destiny. Lean into those things that refuel you and energize you. Ignore the noise that tells you to be small or to shrink. Rise up and take charge of who you know you are meant to be.
In Roar Like a Woman, I explore 35 empowering words to help you reconnect with your voice, your power, and your worth.
👉 Order your signed copy of Roar Like A Woman here.
Let the roar rise.
— Ronda 💛