Phenomenal…
“very remarkable; extraordinary”
This week has been an extremely tiring week. So here it is, Saturday afternoon ,I’ve poured myself a glass of wine, popped some popcorn and have cancelled all plans for this evening! This social butterfly is clipping her wings for the night.
As I sit here in a total relaxed state of mind, my mind ran on a poem by the great Maya Angelou ( 1928-2014) “Phenomenal Woman”. It reads:
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I think this is a poem that all young women( especially women of colour) should read and let resonate within their souls.
Even the most confident of people have days when they look in the mirror and they don’t like what they see. Or don’t think they are good enough to match up to society’s standards. Let’s be honest,speaking as a woman of colour, the media doesn’t always paint us in a great light or give us the best role models to look up to ( i.e: the fist fighting, profanity laden,promiscuous women of shows like “Basketball Wives” or “Bad Girls Club”.)
Unfortunately, role models like this seem to be the norm these days as opposed to great women like Dr Maya Angelou. Women are striving to “get money” and “land the richest baller” instead of getting an education and becoming a woman of formidable character.
But why is that? Why is it that some of us women choose to be validated by society, instead of inherently knowing that we are good enough. I too have struggled with this. I used to ( and still do at times) find it hard to accept that I’m good enough or that I’m worthy of my accolades or even worthy of love. Whenever something good happens, it’s like I’m waiting for the shoe to drop and all of it to be taken away because I don’t feel like I’m deserving of it.
Does anybody else find it hard to receive compliments? It’s not that I don’t appreciate them… It’s almost that I’m embarrassed to accept them. Again, why is that?
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
I have to delight in the fact before I existed God had a plan for me. Little old me! We often place of self-worth on the premise of what society thinks of us instead of looking at the bigger picture. God gave up his one and only child on a cross to die to save humanity. If that isn’t a reminder of how treasured we are then I don’t know what is!
Even on my lowest of days I have to give thanks simply because of that.
I’m reminded of a quote from the movie “The Help” that simply states, “You is kind. You is smart. You is important”. I even encourage the kids in my class to wrap their arms around themselves and repeat this as often as they can! ( I do it too!)
Sometimes you have to look in the mirror and remind yourself You is kind. You is smart. You is important…. Phenomenal Woman… That’s You!! ❤
Shout out to all the phenomenal women in my life! Love you dearly!
xoxo
This weeks song reflection:
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