When a pregnant mama elephant is ready to deliver her baby calf, as you can imagine she is in a very vulnerable position and helpless if attacked by predators. But she is not alone. The other females (usually about ten of them in the family unit), weighing in at around four tons each, get in a circle shoulder to shoulder around the female in labor. They face outward. They literally form a massive protective barrier for mama while she’s in labor and for the newborn calf. They stomp and kick perhaps attempting to throw off the scent. They basically say to any lion, hyena, or other predators lurking around that they’ll have to get through this 40-ton blockade of fired-up females to get to their vulnerable friend.
What an image. And this is such a beautiful analogy of my dear sisters on this alcohol-free journey with me. I am in several video chat groups with ladies from all over the USA and Canada. We are all working hard to protect our alcohol-free lifestyle. We come from different backgrounds, we lead very diverse lives, and we’re strewn across the globe. But we have common goals – to be better human beings, to like who we see in the mirror, and to be an inspiration to others.
"But we have common goals – to be better human beings, to like who we see in the mirror, and to be an inspiration to others."
When one of us is in crisis, feeling vulnerable or helpless, I can tell you that we huddle up and go into protect mode. We surround each other with love and support just like the female elephants. I have experienced being inside this amazing circle myself when I’ve been in an SOS-type situation. What a comforting feeling it is to know that your girls have your back no matter what (just like the elephants literally have that mama’s back). There’s always someone who will jump onto the chat right away to provide support. I’ve also been one of the ladies in the huddle formation shielding and supporting my friend. There is absolutely nothing like a group of females united in ferocious and passionate oneness to accomplish a goal.
So my prayer for you is that you are in a pack of fabulous females who will gather around you in your times of need to protect you from your predators, to stomp and kick to let you know you are precious and worthy, and to show the world that if someone messes with one of MY sisters, they’re going to have to go through me and a few other fierce, powerful, badass beauties to get to you. We’ve got your back, sweet lady. WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK!
"...if someone messes with one of MY sisters, they’re going to have to go through me and a few other fierce, powerful, badass beauties to get to you."
And do you know what those elephants do after the baby is born? They trumpet and stomp and CELEBRATE! Those female elephants know how to party! And so do we here at Put It Down. I’ve never known a group of ladies more into celebrating each other’s victories. We leave our egos at the door and celebrate small wins, big wins, and everything in between. If you don’t have your supportive herd yet to circle around you when you're hurting or to dance and trumpet loudly when you succeed, come join us! There’s always plenty of room in the huddle for one more fierce, fabulous female!
Sources: Momni Foundation, Wildlife SOS, Bali Safari & Marine Park, Daily Mail UK
