You’ve probably heard/read this statement and seen it reposted dozens of times over but I’m going to write about it anyway. Why?

Because Sheryl Sandberg is showing the world why she is incredible woman.

And she believes we can all be incredible women.

And because once I read this post that was sent to me by multiple friends, I felt inspired to do as she will do:

KICK THE SHIT out of OPTION B

For those of you who have not read her touching post, please read it here.

We all have our versions of Option A and B. In regards to Sheryl’s Option A & B after the death of her husband she writes:

“I want Dave. I want option A.” He put his arm around me and said, “Option A is not available. So let’s just kick the shit out of option B.

“I promise to do all I can to kick the shit out of option B. And even though sheloshim has ended, I still mourn for option A. I will always mourn for option A.”

I want to envision my version of the world that is Option B. It will be a process but here is what I envision.

The World of Option B:

• Starts with self-respect, respect for others, confidence, the ability to learn from ones mistakes and the knowledge  to know what isn’t yours to own.

• Will become a wiser, kinder, more empathetic and more compassionate world because of lessons we learn in life.

• Includes the ability to give the world a whole new level of boundless love, unbridled and unbroken.

• Will be filled with more travels and adventure than I ever planned and will have less than 51% of my life ruled by fear.

• Has laughter, love, joy and tears because of the company that we have, the company we keep and the friends we haven’t met yet.

• Provides the ability to remember those who have left us with eternal fondness and peace and remember them as guiding lights in our lives

• Includes knowing that I am still whole despite scars or stumbles.

• Unleashes uninhibited creativity and expression

• A chance to feel more alive than we thought possible

I signed up for my version of Option A. But it seems as if I’m going to have to slowly and surely figure out Option B. In fact, I’m going to have to kick the shit out of Option B (by the way there should be a drink for that).

Tonight, I began the inagural shit-kicking of Option B with a boxing class. My dear friend and I entered our class as two sassy and inexperienced women who were ready and determined to punch, kick, duck, jump and pound out all the frustrations that life had given us that day, or week or even year.

Forty-five minutes later we were drenched, sore and beaten up. As our muscles burned throughout our bodies we somehow managed to muster a few laughs, whether it was laughing at our instructors ego-maniacal personality or just how we looked like limp tadpoles doing half-burpees between throwing left hooks. It felt good to laugh after sitting in so much sadness. This friend (in addition to another friend who sent me Sheryl’s post) helped me kick off the path towards Option B.

It’s going to be a long road that may have more steps back than forward but I am determined to see the path of Option B no matter how long it takes me to get to the trail head to walk it.

So Sheryl, you’ve inspired us and if you’re ever looking for a partner in crime to kick the Shit out of Option B, we’re all here.

We can all lean into Option B together.

Note: Special thanks to ES & NC for sharing this with me.