What is a woman? Clearly we all know what a woman is, when we make the determination by approaching what a woman is, in the anatomical sense. However, womanhood, what is that? Ancient times defined a woman as one who bore children, and any woman who did not or could not have children, was treated as though she was a leper. Although we have evolved quite a bit since those times, there is still a degree amongst some women in society, who feel a sense of superiority to those who do not have children. It is almost an "us against them type of feel"; the “haves and the have not's”. Those of us (women) who have children share our woes and triumphs, we brag and talk about all we have to endure, as mothers. We marvel at all we have accomplished in our endeavor to raise happy, healthy, well adjusted, well balanced children. We feel worthless when our children falter or seemingly fail, and we believe we are more than conquerors when our children achieve victory in what they set out to do, or life in general. We have even said we are nothing and our lives are empty and void of meaning without our children. Oh, who are we without our wonderful children? What would we do without them?
Then there are those of us (women) who do not have children; either by choice, circumstance, or both. We fill our lives with mothering other peoples’ children, and we busy ourselves with careers, family business, and a myriad of other situations life tends to toss our way.
Is being a woman defined by how many children we have given birth to? Is womanhood ascertained by the man, number of men we have, or even the men who have desired to be with us? Are we less feminine if we don’t have a husband, male suitor, or children? Does it mean that we should be stoned and burned at the stake if we have not experienced, or are not experiencing the joys of being something (mother, wife, lover, etc.) to someone else? Is it not merely enough to be one with a womb? Is that not what a woman is?
I happen to know there is much more to me than what is happening around me. Regardless of what is happening on the outside of me, what happens on the inside is what matters most. Whether I have a multi-million dollar mansion or a box on a major street; whether I have children and a husband, or live a life in solitude, I am a woman. Yes, I am a woman and a successful woman! If I am in the backroom or the boardroom, I am a woman. Whether I am in the outhouse or crackhouse…I am a great woman! If I have a six figure income or one dollar to my name; if I single handedly raise (2) children or I raise a nation, I am still a successful woman. The predicaments I noted above have little to no bearing on me being a woman or being great. I am a successful woman, and we all have greatness destined to be realized or actualized, not because of who we are but Who’s we are! My ability to give birth and to give life comes from a Source much greater than I. I am here because my Creator made me, and He chose me for His Divine Plan and Purpose. My obedience and submission to His Plan is what makes me a mighty woman of virtue!
“His spirit enhances my knowledge and His love embraces my soul
He has conquered my every battle without Him I feel so cold
He moves my every step and I breathe His every breathe He gives
Without Him I am nothing and with Him I am a daughter, a queen
He walks with me through everyone situation
He provides for me as a father should
And as He promised He has never forsaken me”
A wise woman once told me that God is your everything. That woman was so right. When life has you bogged down, just say “GOD, you are in control”. See, the devil is always busy and we take on all these burdens and attempt to handle them on our own. It is not our right to do so. God wants us to call on him. Today, I tried to handle some things on my own and of course, they would have turned out differently if I had called on my father. When you see that trouble is on the rise, look up to God and just say, Lord be with me.... He will do just that. He may not come when you want him but I tell you, he will be right on time. God loves you! He did not put us here to be weary and destitute. We serve a God of light and love. He is the presence of love and understanding. He is the forerunner of your universe. So why not give him the glory. Depression is nothing but the devils plan to destroy. The devil looks for the weak and weary. He preys on weak minds and low self esteem sufferers. He lingers with the mischievous doers and the heartbroken spirits. Don’t give in to this brothers and sisters. The devil is waiting around for all of this and he holds his hands open just as much to welcome another victim into his cold arms. Continue to be prayerful for those who are unaware. Continue to honor God daily. Not just on Sunday. Not just because you think that you are suppose to be in church because someone said so. Not even because you think that this is the right thing to do to keep from going to hell. Honor God all the time through sickness pain and all your trials and tribulations.
I don't usually delve into the subject of (romantic) love and relationships. However, I have to speak my peace on this topic, and maybe it will give you some peace! This happens to be Valentine's Day, and while some of us couldn't care less, others of us may be a little sensitive today...and that's okay! Most of us want that special someone in our lives, and the holidays, from Thanksgiving, to days like today,have a tendency to remind us of our status! As a matter of fact, many retail companies capitalize on just that!
I look around and I see so many men and women, who are married and want to be single, just as I see so many women and men who are single and want to be married! What I want to share with you today, is to be content in whatever state you are in. Try to explore what it is you want, and determine what it is that you can do to have it. I'm not going to say all you have to do is name it and claim it, visualize it and watch it manifest! I wish it were that easy (when two people are involved; they have a will, too, and we can't control that)!!! What I am suggesting, though, is that you make sure you are peaceful and satisfied; whatever end of the spectrum you find yourself on. Don't let outside influences decide what you need to do, and when. Too many times, we let outside forces tell us that we need to get married, when God has not said it's time, the "they's" tell us when we should divorce, when to get involved, and when to jump ship. Listen to the inner voice in you and whatever gives you peace, follow that decision. You are the only one who has to live with your decisions and unless this person is abusive to you, in some form, you need to be the one that decides what You should do. People, whether they have our best interest at heart, or not, always advise us to do what they would do, or what they think is right. You're not them! You have to do what your heart tells you to do!
So, at the end of the day, if you want somebody, and s/he just has not come your way, or you find yourself in a marriage, or relationship that just does not seem to be working, get alone, get quiet, and make the ultimate choice that will give you the contentment that we all need, and more than that, find out what makes you happy, no matter what your present situation is!
What is love and how does it impact happiness? Love is an action word, and it starts with you! One cannot give or receive love if s/he doesn't, first, love themselves.
When I think of love and how it creates happiness, in my life, I think about the fact that I am surrounded by love. The love in action that I have been blessed to enjoy, is deeper than what people have said but, it is indeed what people have shown. I have always felt, people love from their experience. The complexity in this is, we generally cross paths with people whose experiences are not like ours. Not a good thing and not a bad thing...we all just bring our differences to the table. However, before we connect with people in a "love" relationship, whether it be familial (kin folk, lol), friendship, or romantic, we have to determine if this person's experience will allow him or her to give us the love we need and deserve. More than that, we need to be able to recognize that love, when it comes our way! A good rule of thumb to know when you are receiving love is if you are strengthened, built up, embraced, not judged, and empowered. If you are not receiving these things, cut these people off. If you are in a situation where you can't end the relationship, ask God why this person is in your life and what you're supposed to do with them. Love should uplift and fulfill you, it should not confuse nor hurt you. Love yourself enough to know the difference, and you will find true happiness in love. Allow the Real Source and Creator to divinely connect you!
Love ya'll, Charlotte E. Scott
Love Lifted Me (When Nothing Else Could or Would Help)!
Amidst the carnage, the rubble, and the ashes, in Haiti, there’s still love. Love is said to; cover a multitude of sin, but it apparently covers more than that. It covers the stench of a body that once held life; and even after death; it continues to cover life. Love also encapsulates the hands of the survivors hearts; both literally and figuratively.
Three days after the earthquake (and still counting), the spiritually strong, yet physically weak Haitians, obviously used love to muster up enough strength to lift one another up and out of the wreckage.
Next to God’s love, a parent’s love is sometimes considered to be the strongest there is. And not even an earthquake can stop it. The parents of a 2-year old child; who was trapped beneath the debris; demonstrated how the strength of their love could be too profound for the childless to understand; by using their bare hands to lift whatever it was that stood in the way of their child’s release.
If a parent’s love is close to being God-like, then a brother’s love is certainly next in line. In Haiti, the term, ‘blood brothers’ is an understatement. Besides the shed blood mingling together because of the disaster, the fact that each citizen has experienced the same types of loss makes them brothers (and sisters) as well. This kind of love is shown when a fellow man uses his wounded hands to pull someone he isn’t necessarily akin to (like a 6 year-old child) out of the depths of discard because of the ‘kinship’ they share by disaster.
So…It is safe to say (partially quoting lyrics from a song); ‘When nothing else could help; love will not only lift the citizens of Haiti at this time of grief; but it will keep them lifted ‘til the end of time'.
Thought for the day:Accomplishments are one of the main driving forces that generates our engine to keep pushing forward in life. But even with all the accomplishments we achieve in life, sometimes it's the simple things that elude us the most - love. Too often, you find yourself holding on to something you can never have, and coming up with false dreams in your mind thinking this person will one day be yours, when in the back of your mind you know it could never be. There are times in life where you have to allow life to come to you, rather than force something that doesn't exist. Sometimes it's the easiest things in life that are the hardest to find.
