moxie - (as defined by Dictionary.com)
- vigor, verve
- courage and aggressiveness; nerve
- skill; know-how
- energy, pep
- courage, determination
There were qualities about myself that I was still learning, but there were also things that I knew for certain. I was smart. I had a kind heart and a wry sense of humor. I knew that I was a good friend, someone who was a good listener and who others came to for advice. I was curious. I loved to challenge my own beliefs and expand my understanding about the world with new information that I absorbed from books. I loved my family. I knew that though I was quiet and shy when in a roomful of unfamiliar people, when with people who knew and loved me, I was bright, vibrant, and something of a comedian. All of those things – that’s how I rocked my moxie. That’s how I still rock my moxie.
I rock my moxie by combining all those good things into one ball of awesomesauce and then using it to give me confidence when I need it. It’s like my armor; it strengthens me and helps me to shield out all the haters – even if sometimes the hater is me.
Maybe you have a passion for drawing and art. Maybe you have mad skills on a basketball court or softball field. Maybe you’re the firecracker who’s good at hyping up a crowd. Your moxie is you on your best day; take that feeling and claim it, girl. It’s yours; be proud of it and who you are.
Let me hear you – how do you rock your moxie?
About JW Moxie
I totally need to learn where/what my moxie is. Can you help me? Do you give lessons?
You rocked this one, girl!
Twitter Name: erinmargolin
Every girl has moxie, Erin! I get the feeling that our moxies ride on the same ironically sarcastic wave of showing our personal pride through self-deprecating humor. :)
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
I used to equate moxie with only aggressiveness and saw it as a negative quality when I was younger. I wish it didn’t take me so damn long to come into my own. Loved this post.
Twitter Name: funnyorsnot
The great thing is that it’s never too late to come into your own. Sometimes I still feel as if I’m getting there, too.
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
Heck yeah! This post is moxie-licious! I’m going to print this out and staple it to my forehead.
Twitter Name: coolwhipmom
Staple it too your back, too, so that the haters you leave behind you can see the reason why they just got smoked. ;)
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
see comment directly above for yet another reason I <3 Jay Dub 4evah
Moxie? I’m leading the Muffin Tops Are The Breakfast Of Champions (MTATBOC) campaign. And opening the Beauty Institute of Advanced Passive Aggression… with Peryl Manning. (Not to brag or anything, but I gotta PhD… nana nana boo boo…;)
Twitter Name: writewrds
My BS is in BS, but I have a PhD in KAATN (Kicking @ss and Taking Names). I’ll come do a guest lecture at BIAPA for you. :)
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
Oh, how I needed to hear this message when I was a teen! I hid my moxie and sometimes even doubted it was there.
Now I rock my moxie by writing. Which I began doing when I was 17.
Great post. I want my moxie-licious daughter to read and reread it.
Twitter Name: LavLuz
How does your daughter rock her moxie? I think our daughters are the same age – 10? Mine is an aspiring writer and fashion designer. I think she has the moxie to make it happen, too.
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
I’m not certain that I have moxie, but if I did, I would rock it somehow. I mean, I’m good at being a mother and wife, and good at teaching, and I’m sort of good at sewing. But, I don’t really feel like “I ROCK YO” at anything.
Trish, everything you just listed – that is EXACTLY what rocking your moxie is. I mean, seriously – you have a REAL Doctorate. If that isn’t evidence of your moxie, then I don’t know what else is!
EVERYONE rocks at something; it’s just a matter of owning it and embracing it!
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
Damn, I am so pumped from reading your post! I rock my moxie every time I make a difference in someone else’s life – that’s what guides me, keeps my feet moving forward and my hands flying across the keyboard. Because these words – the words I share for others – matter.
That’s my moxie: words that matter.
Twitter Name: miriamshope
Now THAT was powerful, Keiko. I use that word so much in reference to you, because you truly embody it. Girl power!
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
What a great comment Keiko! You do rock your moxie when you make a difference in others’ lives, which you do frequently!
“That’s my moxie: words that matter.” I love this concept and also strive to write and speak words that matter and makes a difference in the lives of others.
Twitter Name: FourofaKind2009
This is more on the “skill” end of the moxie definition, not the “energy and verve” one, but it’s still my way of embracing the dorkiness.
I taught myself to knit (from a book) about six years ago. Because I did it on my own, I never knew what stitches and techniques were considered challenging or complicated. I just dove in and started learning, only to find out later that what I already mastered was supposed to be something beyond what a beginner knitter can do. Then I started tweaking patterns and creating designs on my own based on what I already knew about fiber, form and structure.
I went for almost two months last year wearing a different pair of handknit socks to work on casual Friday. I entered five items in the Home Arts competition in the County fair this year, only one of which was made from an exisiting pattern, and won a 5th place, 3rd place and a 1st place/Grand Champion. I’ve designed about 4 different purse patterns, two backpack patterns and a shawl. (I’ve done lots of other things without a pattern, but haven’t taken the time to write down what I’m doing so I could re-create it.)
It may still have an old stigma attached to it, but I’m proud to be a knitting (k)ninja.
Twitter Name: MamaKaren
I think that encompasses the whole moxie shebang! Talk about verve and determination! What you’ve just described is the can-do spirit that we want young girls to have. Whether it’s knitting, sports, being a good friend, or underwater basketweaving – WHAT you do doesn’t really matter. The ATTITUDE you have when you do it is what DOES matter. I think you DEFINITELY rock some serious moxie!
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
I rock my moxie by dyeing my hair purple and not caring what anyone else thinks.
Twitter Name: dragondream
And that’s why I love you, Kristin! :)
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
I’m LIVING my moxie- on a crazy small island 8 miles off the coast of Maine…voluntarily. (I think.)
Barely qualifying as civilization, we have no stores, no movie theatre, only 26 other Not-Quite-Ready-For-Primetimers, a one room schoolhouse, a contracted post office, and a whole lot of lobster!
It’s all fun and games until about November, when ‘the boys are separated from the men’, and only the truly determined remain.
I loved this post, and the subsequent comments, and proud to be in such great company!
Twitter Name: mainemoxie
I’m just glad that I get to be a part of building this community. I’ll be thrilled when we also get girls in our targeted age group to jump in and participate.
That is DEFINITELY a heck of a lot of moxie you’re rocking to live and love under those conditions! I think that for anyone to say that they are “living their moxie” is a huge statement in and of itself! Rock on!
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
Love this: “Your moxie is you on your best day; take that feeling and claim it, girl. It’s yours; be proud of it and who you are.”
What an inspiring post! As others have said, I wish I had more moxie in my adolescent years. I have more self confidence these days, as an adult, but I still struggle to be myself around everyone in my life at times. This was a great reminder to honor and celebrate that which makes us unique and special. Thank you! :)
As for how I rock my moxie… I dance, I write, I am a pretty darn good wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend.
Twitter Name: FourofaKind2009
Kathy, the best part about rocking your moxie is using it in those moments when we feel unsure of ourselves. I don’t think anyone feels confident 100% of the time. But when we can pull up those moments when we DID feel confident and use it in moments when we don’t — that’s where the moxie magic happens.
Your last sentence about how you rock your moxie? That’s exactly what pulled me in when I first started reading your blog. xoxo, my friend!
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
Since the target audience is our ladies coming of age; I’m going to tell them how I rocked my moxie as a pre-teen and teenager.
I didn’t have a lot growing up and then one day, we were moving on up like The Jeffersons. From the projects to a large, four bedroom townhouse.
When we moved I was among the few African American kids that integrated our school. To simply say it was difficult is an understatement.
I stood up for myself and organized “us” and came back ready to fight, literally the following school year. We didn’t start the fights but we no longer ran.
Fast forward to high school. The lessons learned in what would be considered middle school taught me to stand up for myself and the underdog. It taught me tolerance and acceptance therefore I was not one to be hanging with the popular “frilly foo-foo” chicks that hated on others for sport.
High school presented other interesting “events”, like the thug-ettes trying to take my lunch money. I fought hard that day but they didn’t get MY money. It’s not the greatest way to earn respect but that day affirmed, “don’t mess with me” and folks didn’t.
My moxie remains. I fight for the underdogs, the abused, neglected, and the misunderstood. I work to mend families and try to keep them together.
I say to the young ladies that may read this, find your moxie… because it’s there within. Never allow someone to have power over you. Be who you are and not a carbon copy of someone else.
“Be who you are and not a carbon copy of someone else.”
EXACTLY.
Someone very wise told me to believe exactly that. I wonder THAT was?
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
My moxie is my photography. When I have a camera in my hand I feel confident and secure. I can approach people and start up conversations. I always say there are two of me, shy Heather and Photographer Heather. I wish I could be photographer Heather everyday, but then I would need a bigger harddrive for all of those photos I would take.
Twitter Name: DExtraordinaire
That’s when you use your moxie – you can be Photography Heather even when you don’t have a camera in your hands. Just imagine that you did, and let that confidence shine through.
Sometimes it’s easier said than done. Finding that confidence in moments when it doesn’t come out naturally is a tough thing to do, but it feels great once you find your moxie rhythm. :)
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
I love this post and I encourage my girls to rock their moxie on the daily. I want to raise two fierce, feisty, MOXIE-LICIOUS girls! THis is my goal.
While reading your account of your 13 yo self, I see we have a lot in common. I rock my moxie these days by being ( or trying to be) the awesome creator of my blog, being an awesome friend and a super moxie-licious Mommy! I am MOxie, here me roar!!!!
Twitter Name: Truthfulmommy
I think you are most DEFINITELY being an “awesome creator” – not only on your blog, but in all areas of your life around you. That definitely shines through!
I, too, want my girls (and my boys, actually) to have that moxie spirit. Hopefully if our kids see us living moxie-liciously, they’ll live a life full of moxie, too.
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
I’m shy too and no one believes me because I am outspoken, perform, and do all sorts of other things that call attention to me. I do all that stuff in spite of being shy because shy is not my strength, it’s my weakness and I will not let my weakness overpower my strengths.
Twitter Name: Unknown Mami
amazing, amazing post! I wish I had more moxie then and now.
Twitter Name: DresdenPlaid