As A Woman... [Pt. 2]

I'm going to keep saying this: I am human.

Being human means that I have thoughts, and feelings, and emotions. Feelings and emotions are not "ladies only" aspects of humanity. It is okay as a woman AND as a man to have them and express them...because we are human.

Over the years, however, I convinced myself that men aren't capable of expressing their feelings. I began to make excuses for why a guy "couldn't" SHOW me he loved me like he SAID he did. I began to convince myself that it was my role as a woman to coddle and coax a man to communicate his feelings for me in both action and in words. I allowed myself to believe that my feelings and emotions weren't "okay" because, well, I was only "being a woman."  I continued to repeat the same patterned behavior with men because I thought as a woman I was supposed to see a man's potential then patiently cultivate it to fruition.

NO.

As a woman, it is not my responsibility to govern and wait on a man's growth. As a woman, it is not my job to apologize for how I feel nor is it my job to stifle the healthy expression of my feelings for anyone, man or woman. As a woman, it is not on me to convince a man that he should tell me how he feels, but more than anything, he should SHOW me. As a woman, I shouldn't have to basically manipulate a man to treat me right: "If I do this then maybe he'll do that. If I say this then maybe he'll say that"

NO!! (Sorry for yelling lol)

I had to smarten up and realize being a woman does not mean being a mother to all men. As a woman, I cannot change or fix anyone; that's not my job. Only God has the power to bring forth change in a person, and even then said person has to be open to His spirit. As a woman, I don't have to invest my time and energy into trying to make a man into a better person. As a woman, I don't have to settle for less than I deserve.

As a woman, all I have to be is genuine in who I am at all times while standing strong in what I believe. Those who are meant to love and respect me will love and respect me for ME, not for what I do for them. I don't need to do or say anything in order to to fit in or be accepted as a woman.