From the beginning: How The Noticed Network began

"Wouldn't it be great if women could get noticed just for being themselves. Noticed for who they are not what they do necessarily, but who they really are."
This was the very first thought I had about what has become the simple and powerful initiative of The Noticed Network. This was my thought as I was putting my makeup on one Sunday morning in late March 2011.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

I've Noticed... That Some Things Are Not Designed To Be Words On A Page

I've Noticed... that it is very challenging for me to explain the essence of being Noticed.  I have come to understand that being Noticed means the most to those who have actually been Noticed, and the joy of Noticing can only be felt once you've experienced the Noticed Motif turning from the gift of a small "key chain" to a treasured keepsake. 

If you've stumbled on to this blog and are unfamiliar with The Noticed Network and the concept of Noticing, I will do my best to explain...
  • The Noticed Network is the original epicenter of an actual, rather that virtual, network of women who are inspired to Notice and celebrate the amazing women in their lives just for being their amazing selves.  I say actual because these women are actually connecting with each other.  Whether it is in person (let's say over coffee maybe) or by mail, the Noticing takes place woman to woman.  (I just love that part!  Our world is often hurried and virtual, and especially as women we have a huge need for real connection.)  (524 Characters)
  •  The concept of Noticing really is simple, yet powerful.  The giver, or the Noticer if you will, gives the recipient a heartfelt compliment (basically tells her the good things she has Noticed about her), and a Noticed Motif. The Motif is so important because is serves as a reminder over and over again that the woman was Noticed just for being herself. (355 Characters)
  • The Noticed Motif is sold by The Noticed Network.  It is a lot like a key chain, although the recipient is encouraged to clip it on her purse, keys, or wherever she will see it often.  The name Noticed Motif was chosen to define these items in a very special way.  These are not just key chains or bag tags.  They are symbols of a common theme running through the tapestry of the human experience.  A Noticed Motif is a tangible reminder to the woman who received it, and it tells others that she has been Noticed as a beautiful part of that tapestry.  (551 Characters)
  • Often once a woman has been Noticed she Notices the amazing women in her own life.  We call this the Ripple Effect of Goodness.  As all of these ripples spread The Noticed Network grows.  (186 Characters)
  • To Notice a woman is to take the time to tell her why she is amazing just for being herself.  You are in a sense saying, "I see you, I hear you, you matter to me.".  And this is one of the best gifts you can give a woman.  When a woman know she is Noticed it changes her.  It validates her.  When she feels gratitude toward her own goodness, she wants to let her light shine a little brighter.  When she feels Noticed the world is a better place, and she wants to create her own Ripple Effect of Goodness by Noticing the amazing women in her own life. (551 Characters)
It is this last statement that gets me so excited!  The thought that as each woman is Noticed her light shines brighter, and then she wants to share with others so that their lights shine brighter, too.  It is the goal of the Noticed Network that every woman in the world will be Noticed and validated.  And I for one can't wait to see the bright lights burning.

In this virtual, and often viral world that we live in it would seem possible that every woman should experience being Noticed sooner rather than later.  With Facebook and Twitter we should be able to get the word out about Noticed and grow this movement over night, but I struggle to put the essence of the gift that is "Noticed" into 140 characters.  There are no graphics to post that depict a woman who felt invisible realizing that she has been Noticed just for being her amazing self.

I suppose there are a lot of experiences like that.  It would be nearly impossible to tell you in 140 characters what it felt like when I became a wife, or a mother.  Some things require experience to truly understand.  Some things are not designed to be words on a page.

So for now we will continue to do our best to share The Noticed Network with the world, and we will continue to support women as they create their own ripple effects of goodness.  Most importantly, we will be patient. The Noticed Network is not founded on the virtual or viral.  We are founded on the principle that we, the women who's lights are shining brighter because we are Noticed, will share this gift. Although you will continue to see us on Facebook and Twitter, we will not rely on the words on a page to explain the true essence of being Noticed.  We will rely on real women to share Noticed with the world.

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