“Sure God created man before woman. But then you always make a rough draft before the final masterpiece.” ~Author Unknown
Richard Wilbur once wrote a poem called “The Writer” about his young daughter who aspired to be a writer. When she was in the writing process, she was progressive moving on the path towards success. But once rejected, she hid her colorful beauty from the world. Then she started to revise and that was the confidence that set her free. A masterpiece is said to be a great work of creativity. It is made with great care and quality. Yes to make woman, “the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib” (Genesis 2:21-22) but he also created woman just like men to “be fruitful and multiply; To fill the earth and govern it; To reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground” (Genesis 1:28).
I, Woman, am that wonder-breathing rose that blossoms in the garden of the King.
– ELSA BARKER
You are a strong, beautiful and were wonderfully made; Unquestionably! Don’t ever forget that or deny yourself of that truth.
“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.” – Margaret Fuller
Proverbs 24:4 says “through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Don’t keep that light hidden. Let it shine. Show your light and have faith in it. That’s being truly pulchritudinous.
“I love myself when I am laughing. . . and then again when I am looking mean and impressive.”
– Zora Neale Hurston
Trials come to make us strong. If everyday were a sunny day, we would not appreciate it. But if we were like the people in Haiti living in tents during drought season, we might be more appreciative of the beauty God has allowed us to see. Love yourself on days that your sun continually shines and on the days when it just seems gray and you are everything but happy. Happiness is not something that man can take from you because they didn’t give it to you. Let the joy you have because you simply are. It could’ve been worst, you could not be and this day could have never crossed your eyes. By claiming your love for self, you are dwelling in your victory.
“Sometimes I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It’s beyond me.” – Zora Neale Hurston
Know your value. You are priceless; Worth more than gold and all the treasures in the world. Think about it, for your life, Jesus paid the price just so that you could be here living a life of freedom. If you believe that, there is no rock that a slinger can throw at you that can knock you down. God loves us despite the haters. God loves us despite ourselves. If they discriminate against you, show your strength by letting the world know who you are not. Being positive about who you are is the key. Be faithful in your life and never let anyone steal your joy.
“For I cannot think that GOD Almighty ever made them [women] so delicate, so glorious creatures; and furnished them with such charms, so agreeable and so delightful to mankind; with souls capable of the same accomplishments with men: and all, to be only Stewards of our Houses, Cooks, and Slaves”- DANIEL DEFOE, The Education of Women
No longer are we reduced to only being able to see the outside by the porch of the bungalow. Who said because we are woman, we have to be in the kitchen all the time? True that a family depends on each other but never allow yourself to be dependent on your husband without being able to do for yourself. Suppose that tomorrow something happens to him. Will you be able to stand on your own two feet. Get out there and work! Make your own money. Get your education and be among the fittest who will survive if something unexpected happens. God made us very strong. Be encouraged!
When I was growing up and in grade school, if we had to contact our parents during the day, we had to put a quarter into the pay phone to let them know of our issues. But in today’s world, a child can just take their cell phones out their book bag and dial or text to let his or her parents know what the deal is. You know what that means right? Times have changed. No longer like before the nineteen-thirties when women were banned from wearing trousers. There is nothing wrong with people holding on to old values; Even us women. But that does not mean that other women must subscribe to your beliefs to be right in their own sense. If you want to wear a long skirt, that’s all beautiful for you but maybe today I want to wear pants and I’m okay with it. Eleanor Roosevelt said “remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” A woman is a woman is a woman. Be who you are and stand proud in your individuality. Faith will move mountains.
“When you realize the value of all life, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future.” Dian Fossey
Yesterday was a thing of the past. Today is here and tomorrow has yet to come. But what if it doesn’t. And then again, what if it does? Will you still be living in yesterday’s failures tomorrow? How hard would it be to move along the yellow brick road carrying all the baggage that yesterday left behind. Let yesterday stay in yesterday. If someone hurt you, forgive them and move on. Forgive yourself for your failures and move on. Live today as if tomorrow were non-existent because the truth is tomorrow is not guaranteed. But do hope for the future. And while you are moving towards it, why not continue to invest a little love into your heart. Love your dreams. Pursue them! Don’t doubt in who you are and where you are going and strive for success in it. Claim it before it has even come and attract your forseen destiny into your life.
“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” -Louisa May Alcott
Believe in something. Believe in a higher power. Believe in love. Believe in you. Press toward the mark of the higher calling. Don’t let your calling pass you by. Open the door to it. Let it into your life. Invite it to stay. Entertain it and try to make sure your success does not leave. And keep working at becoming a better version of yourself. With experience we become better. With tears, we become more knowledgeable of the truth. With love we become more accepting of the ways love was given that we may have not yet seen. With life we become more groomed and able to live according to us. With defeat, we become warriors. But with hope, we become victorious and nothing is impossible.
“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.” – Proverbs 16:31
I am not old but I noticed a couple of gray hairs that just came out from nowhere. When my younger sister saw gray hairs in her head, she cried and complained about getting old. My older sister used hair dye to cover up the grays. But me, I was so happy to see gray hair. If God says that gray hair is a sign of righteousness, how can I complain? That means, despite myself, I actually really do have some righteousness in me; and that is a good thing. I may be getting older and more mature in age, but I am not such a bad person.
