THE MOTHER NATURE

THE FAMILY GROOVE’S PROFILE OF A MOM WHO’S MAKING IT HAPPEN

We're thinking about renaming this column “Walking and Talking.” First of all, we've had the distinct
honor of now talking to 43 women (well, actually, there were two men in there!) over the past three
and a half years, walking with them, as it were, in an honest discovery through their life and times,
hopes and dreams, mishaps and mantras, to come to who they are today as mothers, wives, partners,
friends, daughters and, most importantly, themselves. But what really strikes us month after month is
how much these women actually walk their talk. No lip service—just action and intention rising up to
meet each other on a level where the sum is worth more than its parts. All of these big ideas and grand
intentions done in an effort to find their most simple of truths and to deliver those truths to the world at large, whether it be via their companies, their ideas and/or their role as mothers.

What's struck us, too, is how seriously women nowadays are taking their calls to action and how, though the calls may be specific to their message, the end result is very much the same for all of us.

We really have reached the final leg of feminism: the freeing of women as mother; the understanding and utilization of women as individuals outside of societal norms and demands. Transformation complete: We are mothers, entrepreneurs, friends, wives, partners, daughters as ourselves—hear us roar.

Case in point: Bridget Belden. From the first answer, you like her enough to want to ring her up for a drink. Then as you continue on through the Q&A, you get to her work: founder and CEO of a nonprofit seeking to inspire and empower kids. Talk about effecting change in a direct and meaningful way. From her honest and impassioned life view to her admission that she still struggles with balance to her tongue-in-cheek answer about what she wishes she knew then (we've been there, too, sister—we also used butter and Crisco if we were out of baby oil), Bridget is extraordinary…and normal…and totally sorted out…and still trying to find her way. She is the quintessential modern-day woman—a true-to-herself, real-life model of current and future greatness that echoes the zeitgeist of the time while informing its evolution.

In fact, she's just like you. Read on to see how.

1. Who are you?
Bridget Belden and Family The digest version—Bridget Belden

2. How old are you?
43

3. Where do you live?
Santa Ana, Calif.

4. How many children do you have? How old?
Girl, 14, and a boy, 11 (almost 12)

5. What time do you get up?
6 a.m. during the week and 7 to 7:30 on weekends

6. What daily rituals must you do to feel normal?
Drink my coffee and read the paper.

7. What do you wish you’d do every day, but haven’t been able to incorporate into your routine?
Take 10 to 15 minutes for reflection and decompression..

8. Do you work?
Yes.

9. What do you do?
I am the founder and CEO of Ripple Kids Inc., a nonprofit seeking to inspire and empower kids (7 to 12) to take action in their communities by publicizing the success of their peers. A Ripple Kid is a kid who has identified an issue and taken action to resolve it..

10. Tell us about it.
I was working in L.A. selling expensive jeans to people who didn’t need any more jeans, and trying to figure out how I could make my mark on the world. I was overwhelmed by the amount of need and paralyzed by my inability to make a difference. During this time, I had a conversation with my then 8-year-old daughter about global warming. She was asking what it was and I explained and told her it was a big issue. She thought a moment and said, “Not really. All we need to do is…” and proceeded to list out a number of steps that we could do to resolve the issue. I started exploring the concept that kids this age are old enough to articulate issues and things that they see are wrong, and take the steps to resolve it. Unlike adults, they don’t think about how much or how big of an impact they can make. Whether it’s $5 or $500, they believe that they can make a difference. Period. I thought that if I could share stories of what Ripple Kids are doing, we could inspire other kids (and adults) to take action in their communities.

11. What’s the best thing your mother ever told you?
Never write anything down that you wouldn’t want someone else to read. She said it back in the day of note passing in school, but it’s particularly poignant in this day and age. It’s one of those things I hear myself telling my daughter over and over again.

12. What does being a good mother mean?
On the most simplified level, I think it means doing your very best to raise good human beings. For me, it boils down to finding the balance between empowering your kids to be who they are meant to be and guiding them so that they make the best choices possible while getting there. I think the most challenging thing is to remember that they might not end up looking like our vision of who they should be. They will probably be better!

13. What’s your mantra/personal philosophy?
Everything happens for a reason, even though it might not be clear at the time. Looking back at some of the tragic experiences I’ve had in my life, it wasn’t clear why they were happening, but having faith that they happened for a reason gave me a way to cope. I now better understand why they happened and how they made me stronger and the person I am today. Bad things happen to everyone and it’s all relative. For some, losing a pet might be the worst thing that’s happened, while for others, it’s losing a sibling or child. It’s what you do with that experience and how you grow from it that matters. Are you going to be victimized or empowered by it?

14. What do you tell other mothers?
Society tells us that if we take time out for ourselves to pursue our passions that somehow we’re selfish. I believe it’s the opposite. We have so many roles to fill and we’re in a constant state of giving to others. If we don’t find fulfillment and a way to re-energize, we are giving from a vacuum and become depleted and exhausted, making us less able to give completely. I think filing ourselves up makes us better mothers, wives and contributing members of society.

15. Finish this sentence: I want my children to know…
… that they have the power within themselves to create whatever type of life they choose. They need to stay true to their hearts and instincts and this will lead them down their path …and that I love them immensely..

16. Who inspires you?
Anyone who has overcome tremendous odds to pursue their path and give to others. When I was first researching the Ripple Kids concept, I talked to a young girl named Taylor Matthews. She was diagnosed with cancer at age 11. While she was going through her treatment, she and her parents learned that there was very little funding available for pediatric cancer research. From her hospital bed, she began making bracelets to sell to raise money for the cause. Eventually she and her family formed Tay-bandz, a nonprofit, and raised over $500,000 for pediatric cancer research. Sadly, she lost her battle at a young age, but her strength to take what would paralyze many and turn it into a positive force for good to help others is truly inspiring to me.

17. What are you passionate about?
Ten years ago I literally couldn’t answer this question, and honestly, that is what started me on an inquiry into all aspects of my life—personal and professional. Eventually it set me on the path to leave my job and found this organization. I am happy to say that I have found my passion in spending time with my family, my friends, traveling and the work that I am doing with this organization. I am very passionate about community service and empowering others so that they may realize their gifts and can share them with the world.

18. How do you balance your life as a woman, a mother, a friend?
Hmmm. This is a constant struggle. The mother part seems to take precedence out of necessity! I think it’s about prioritizing and learning how to say no.

19. What do you wish you knew then that you know now?
That baby oil plus extensive sun exposure does not equal beautiful skin 25 years later!

20. How do you get into your groove?
This is a tough question to answer—some days it’s effortless, and other days it’s painful. Focus and routine tend to help me do it.

For more from Bridget, go to www.ripplekids.com.