I am reminded on International Women's Day that I am a woman, and that that is something that is a force to be reckoned with. I am reminded by Hillary Clinton, Ashley Judd and countless other feminists that being a woman is a bold, brazen (nasty?), and strong thing to be. I just want to take a moment now to count down the times I truly felt like a strong woman.
When I learned to throw, hit, and catch like a girl.
When I put pen to paper and drew a detailed picture or wrote a moving poem.
When I made it onto the honor and high honor roll (the first time and every time)
The first time I rode a horse- and every single time after.
When I won my first blue ribbon.
When I fall off, and get back on. Also, when I realize it's ok to not get back on right away.
The first time I decided I had to be strong for someone else. Even though I was dying inside.
When I earned my Girl Scout Silver award.
When I learned to drive a stick shift. And every time I get to drive one.
When I bought my first car. Then my second, an SUV. Not so much with the hand me down truck I got after my accident. But then, again, when I bought my first 'relatively new' truck. Without a co signer!
When I got accepted into college.
When I rescued two abused puppies and found them good homes.
When I completed pledging for my sorority and gained membership.
Every time I approached a man I was interested in- for any reason.
The first time I felt in love with a partner.
When I saved my first life.
When I witnessed my first birth.
When I said sorry- and meant it very sincerely- for the first time in many, many years.
When I gambled for the first time, and won.
The first time I voted.
When I presented my capstone project.
When I graduated college.
When I moved out of the state I'd spent my whole life in. All 21 of the hours it took to get to the new place.
When I first traveled outside the country I'd spent my whole life in.
The first time I flew solo on a plane.
When I got my first dog.
Every time I hold a new baby
When I flipped my first tire. Any time I flip a big 'ol tractor tire.
When I ran my first mud run, and definitely when I completed a Super Spartan.
The first year I brought in more than $40,000.
The first time I bought myself a REAL diamond.
The first time I cooked (and nailed it!) a new dish to serve to others.
The day I decided to teach myself a new equestrian sport (polo).
The day the wedding I planned and saved for come to fruition- and it was as wonderful as I'd hoped.
When I stepped foot in the land of my ancestors for the first time.
When I switched jobs abruptly, to get back to following my passion.
The day I found out I conceived a child naturally after 3 years of trying.
When I looked at the first sonogram at 8 weeks and saw that little beating heart.
When my baby waved at me during the 12 weeks sonogram.
When I decided at 20 weeks that I didn't want to know the sex of the baby I was carrying. Not yet.
The moment I found out my unborn baby's life was in danger and I felt the 'protector' instinct take over.
Of course, the moment I heard that little girl cry.
That was 7 months ago. Since that cry, there have been many moments in which I feel weak, tired, inadequate. Moments I felt fear, even sheer terror. And so many moments I have just been overwhelmed with emotion that I have no idea which one to classify it under. I recently applied for a new job- a job that I -deep down- knew I was less than ready for. I went through my first big rejection career wise. Even that is a strengthening moment.
It's amazing what we, ourselves, perceive as a STRONG moment. Plenty of people would tell me that some of these are not liberating, not strengthening, or even not noteworthy. They can f*ck off. Life is about experiences, and our perception of them. Some people are underwhelmed at the Grand Canyon, or the Colosseum, or the OCEAN. You do you, and let them do them. They'll find something powerful and strong and moving to inspire them.
I cannot wait for the next moment that I feel STRONG
When I learned to throw, hit, and catch like a girl.
When I put pen to paper and drew a detailed picture or wrote a moving poem.
When I made it onto the honor and high honor roll (the first time and every time)
The first time I rode a horse- and every single time after.
When I won my first blue ribbon.
When I fall off, and get back on. Also, when I realize it's ok to not get back on right away.
The first time I decided I had to be strong for someone else. Even though I was dying inside.
When I earned my Girl Scout Silver award.
When I learned to drive a stick shift. And every time I get to drive one.
When I bought my first car. Then my second, an SUV. Not so much with the hand me down truck I got after my accident. But then, again, when I bought my first 'relatively new' truck. Without a co signer!
When I got accepted into college.
When I rescued two abused puppies and found them good homes.
When I completed pledging for my sorority and gained membership.
Every time I approached a man I was interested in- for any reason.
The first time I felt in love with a partner.
When I saved my first life.
When I witnessed my first birth.
When I said sorry- and meant it very sincerely- for the first time in many, many years.
When I gambled for the first time, and won.
The first time I voted.
When I presented my capstone project.
When I graduated college.
When I moved out of the state I'd spent my whole life in. All 21 of the hours it took to get to the new place.
When I first traveled outside the country I'd spent my whole life in.
The first time I flew solo on a plane.
When I got my first dog.
Every time I hold a new baby
When I flipped my first tire. Any time I flip a big 'ol tractor tire.
When I ran my first mud run, and definitely when I completed a Super Spartan.
The first year I brought in more than $40,000.
The first time I bought myself a REAL diamond.
The first time I cooked (and nailed it!) a new dish to serve to others.
The day I decided to teach myself a new equestrian sport (polo).
The day the wedding I planned and saved for come to fruition- and it was as wonderful as I'd hoped.
When I stepped foot in the land of my ancestors for the first time.
When I switched jobs abruptly, to get back to following my passion.
The day I found out I conceived a child naturally after 3 years of trying.
When I looked at the first sonogram at 8 weeks and saw that little beating heart.
When my baby waved at me during the 12 weeks sonogram.
When I decided at 20 weeks that I didn't want to know the sex of the baby I was carrying. Not yet.
The moment I found out my unborn baby's life was in danger and I felt the 'protector' instinct take over.
Of course, the moment I heard that little girl cry.
That was 7 months ago. Since that cry, there have been many moments in which I feel weak, tired, inadequate. Moments I felt fear, even sheer terror. And so many moments I have just been overwhelmed with emotion that I have no idea which one to classify it under. I recently applied for a new job- a job that I -deep down- knew I was less than ready for. I went through my first big rejection career wise. Even that is a strengthening moment.
It's amazing what we, ourselves, perceive as a STRONG moment. Plenty of people would tell me that some of these are not liberating, not strengthening, or even not noteworthy. They can f*ck off. Life is about experiences, and our perception of them. Some people are underwhelmed at the Grand Canyon, or the Colosseum, or the OCEAN. You do you, and let them do them. They'll find something powerful and strong and moving to inspire them.
I cannot wait for the next moment that I feel STRONG
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