Women need other women
In my ongoing quest for personal growth and a deeper understanding of myself, I have taken the time to reflect on my past behaviors, the various immaturities I have exhibited, and the hurt I have unfortunately caused others along the way. In particular, I have become acutely aware of the impact I have had on other women. While I absolutely recognize and do not want to discount the pressures that men face and the challenges they navigate through in life, I must humbly admit that I cannot fully understand what it is truly like to walk in a man’s shoes. Therefore, as much as I genuinely respect and appreciate the contributions of men in our lives, for the purpose of this journey, I have decided to shine the spotlight on the incredible, and resilient women, my many, many sisters, who populate this world.
The message is simple, and honestly, essential, women need other women! We navigate through life with a colossal amount of pressure to live up to a standard that was designed and structured long before we ever existed. Throughout the ages, far too many of our sisters went through life never feeling secure enough to safely share their opinions because, as women, their thoughts were dismissed as if they didn’t have any value at all. We encountered judgement, especially as our sisters bravely entered the workforce, fervently fought for our right to vote, to drive or to do anything beyond the confines of the kitchen. We constantly face the daunting challenge of measuring up to someone else's version of what they think is beautiful. We encounter harsh judgement for our children’s behavior, the overall style of our homes, how we choose to dress, and even how we express ourselves. In this year of 2024, many of our sisters still struggle with discrimination, often feeling they are placed in the backseat while having to work twice as hard to prove that we truly belong at the table. So why are we, as women, so hard on each other? Don’t misunderstand me; I am not standing up and shouting, “I am woman, hear me roar!” But I am passionately expressing something, and it is directed at my dear sisters.
You see a woman strutting her stuff in very tight clothing or perhaps wearing an outfit that reveals significantly more than what you would personally choose to wear. In that moment, do you say to yourself, “Yay for her for having the confidence to wear that boldly?” or do you find yourself thinking of her as being trashy or perhaps a bit desperate for attention? I shall take a leap of faith and suggest that it is more often the latter of the two reactions that crosses our minds. Full disclosure here, as I look at myself in the mirror with a tinge of shame creeping in, I need to pause and ask myself, why exactly is that? Why do we, as women, sometimes feel inclined to put our sisters down instead of lifting each other up with kindness and encouragement? For me, it was most definitely rooted from one reason. That fierce and confident woman standing before me somehow exposed an insecurity that I had within myself, and instead of choosing to cheer her on and admire her boldness, I allowed jealousy to overshadow my better judgment.
I doubt I will get much disagreement here, but I truly believe that women are absolutely beautiful in every way. All of them! With different hair colors and styles that reflect their unique personalities, diverse skin tones that display their wonderful ancestry, varying heights and sizes that all represent beauty in its many forms, every woman is BEAUTIFUL! We carry and give birth to life, take on the many burdens of our families, juggle our careers, and somehow manage it all with grace and determination. Some of us are blessed to have the unwavering support of our partners, but many of our incredible sisters are bravely doing this by themselves. It's no wonder women often experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. We all face the same pressures, share the same insecurities, and chase the same dreams. So let's put an end to belittling our sisters. Instead, let’s come together to uplift, support, and empower one another! Be a mentor to the younger ladies, the kind of supportive and nurturing guide you truly needed during your own journey. Share your wisdom, experiences, and heartfelt encouragement to help them navigate their paths.
I am going to take an important lesson from my sweet grandson. When I take him through the grocery stores, he stops women with a heartfelt compliment, saying, "You are so pretty." In that moment, I believe with all certainty that woman needed to hear that kind and uplifting message. Sisters, I urge you to be kinder and more patient with our fellow sisters and to stop passing harsh judgments on one another. Teach our sons to show genuine respect for women in all aspects of life. Teach our daughters to be kinder and more supportive to other girls, fostering a sense of unity and compassion among them. We face enough negativity from ourselves already, and let’s not forget that we truly need each other!
CL
