Tag: womens history month

Post Meant for March/Women’s History Month (4 Months Late)

I just want to apologize for not posting anything since January. A lot has been going on. I will dive right into this post. This post was meant to be posted in March for Women’s History month and that is what inspired this post. In addition, I am also talking about self worth, which ties hand in hand with the first theme. I feel pretty damn lucky to be surrounded by a community of women, including Ground Up PDX, a place I used to work at. They help women who face barriers to being employed. I learned new skills in their employment program and made some amazing friends along the way. It really shows me how much community and the women around me are very important. This brings me to my first quote of this post. Forest Whitaker says “The true wealth of a community is measured by how carefully it listens to its women and how sincerely it values their wisdom. Empowering women empowers us all.” In other words, when we value women we become more successful as a community.

Sometimes it is hard to find my self worth, especially when I am used to being told no. No, you are not good for this job. No, we do not want you. No, no, no. I try to not take it personally. We are so used to putting the blame on ourselves like we are not good enough, we are not deserving enough, etc. It really has nothing to do with you. It is just simply that it is not the right fit. Whether it is a job, a relationship, etc. it just was not meant to be and that is okay. It just means that there is something better down the line. For example, it took me some time but I think I found the right job. There will be a day when I find the right kind of relationship with someone who is out there somewhere. It takes a lot of soul searching and figuring out what you want but never doubt your self worth. And even if you doubt yourself there are people around, including yourself who do not doubt you for one second.

That brings me into my next and final two quotes quotes. The first of the two is by Michelle Phan who says “I believe that rejection is a blessing because it’s the universe’s way of telling you that there’s something better out there.” This is exactly what I was saying before. There is ALWAYS something better out. The second of the two is by Alan Cohen who says “If you know your true worth, you do not need anyone else to confirm it.” That is why it is called self-worth. It does not involve anyone else but yourself and that is all that matters. I do not want to make this post too long since this post have been long delayed and I do not want to wait any longer. I am so sorry that post took a long time to write but it is finally here. Here is a poem to enjoy. Cheers! P.S. Speaking of community… I am not sure if I shared this or not but if not here you go. I just want to share that my favorite poetry site Deep Underground Community has indeed closed down. It is a sad time because as you all know by now that site meant the world to me. I met so many amazing people and it came into my life when I needed it the most. But the show must go on as usual.

Self Worth

I think you made a mistake in letting

Me go, but I cannot tell you that

Because you must live with that

Decision for the rest of your life.

In the end it is all going to be okay

Because I stand on the shoulders

Of the women who supported me

And helped me move on. Because

That is you did… moving on with

Whoever and whatever came next.

My smile is a little brighter and my

Laughter is a little louder. The nights

Are a little easier to sleep through.

How did I ever think you were the one?

It is okay to be alone when it comes

To romantic love. But love also comes

In an abundance of many friendships,

Enjoying life and being with those

Who make me feel less alone.

I look at the woman in the mirror,

Flawed and willing to whisper to

My reflection You did it! I am

So proud of you and how far you

Came. You survived with a broken

Heart. You made it through the ashes

And every negative thought. You made

It despite broken trust and the feeling

You were not going to make it. You are

Still the same goofy and kind person

You have always been. Never let

Someone else dim your light or think

That you are unworthy just because

They could not see the best in you.

In the end I chose myself and the kind

Of life I wanted to live. I chose to love

Myself and the life I already have.

Girl Power

I know it has already been a month and even longer than that at this point that I have last posted something. My apologies for that. I am going to dive right into this post. This month is Women’s History Month. I wish we did not have to get a month out of the whole year because we should be celebrating women every single day of the year. Without women none of us would be here. I am proud to come from a strong line of women, especially my mom, who in my eyes is the very definition of a strong woman. She amazes me every single day. Without her I would not be here in this world. This post is not just about me, but about the women who came before me as well as the girls/women who will come after me. I want to start off with a quote by Amy Sherman-Palladino who says “Girl power in my mind is to let girls be exactly what they are. Let them be angry. Let them be resentful. And rebellious. Let them be hard and soft and loving and sad and silly. Let them be wrong. Let them be right. Let them be everything. because, they are everything.” In other words, girl power is all about letting them be who they truly want to be.

At the end of the day… girl power is all about women supporting women because often we get knocked down and tear each other apart. That is the most hurtful thing we can do because from the moment we are born we are pitted against each other and are taught that everything is a competition. Life is not a competition and that is a fact. That leads me to my next quote. “A strong woman is someone who raises other women up instead of tearing them down.” In other words the embodiment of a strong woman is one who lifts other women up instead of tearing them down. Here is one final quote and this one is from my favorite tennis player. Serena Williams says “Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another, we’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” In other words, we should be everyone’s cheerleader, especially when they have success. I could go on and on about this subject but I will conclude here. This post and poem goes out to all the women I have come across in my lifetime, from my mom, to my sister, aunts, cousins, friends, co-workers, and even strangers who have showed me what a strong and successful woman looks like. This one is for you and I love every single one of you!

Girl Power

My dear, I see the pain and suffering in your eyes,
But you are the movers and shakers of the world.
You are the reason why I have the blood running in
My strong veins. Your pain is my pain and the guys?
They do not know what it is like to hold the curled
Words and watch them disappear into thick skin

So no one else sees their wounds. You are a warrior
And goddess no one else can ever become. Through
And through you are tough like leather. Like a star
You shine. You are becoming a healer and worrier
Because that is what the generations before you
Carried with them on their backs. You may be far

From the womb where you originally came from
And the shoulders you once were carried upon, but
You are never far from the heart and the feet that
Carried you up the stairs. You are never like a crumb
That people can forget about because you are what
People call strong like the sun. You are never the flat

Corners of the earth because they are non-existent.
You are the gold in the mines. You are the flames of
The fire burning bright and like the beacon of hope
You are what this world needs now, a persistent
Presence that is not going anywhere. You are loved,
Do not forget that. There are days when the ropes

And your eyes are going to become way too heavy.
You are the little girl and the woman who never gave
Up, so keep swinging and keep fighting for what your
Ancestors fought for as they repaired a broken levee
Not for you or anyone to destroy, but for you to pave
The way. My dear, you are opening your own door.