Who wants to be like Mother Nature?

Two years ago, one of the neighbors cut down a beautiful tree that grew in his backyard.

The Significant Other found out through another neighbor, that the tree had been slain only because it shed too many leaves.

I was outraged.

The tree had been there for such a long time, and suddenly it was gone.

This morning, as I drank my coffee, I ventured out to the terrace to feel the sun on my face.

As I peered into the neighbor’s yard, I noticed a new tree had taken up residence in the spot where the old tree had been.

However, upon closer inspection, I noticed that it wasn’t a new tree.

Instead, it was the old tree which had sprouted new branches and leaves.

I was awestruck and smiled at Mother Nature’s refusal to be stifled.

While man had wanted to destroy one of her creations, she had valiantly shown him who was in charge.

As I walked with Roxy today, I looked for signs of Mother Nature’s perseverance; of her refusal to be dismissed.

I saw wildflowers growing through cement bricks, through cracks in the sidewalk, and in the middle of the forest.

I saw branches growing near the base of a tree trunk, moss growing on logs, and even on a rock.

All of this led me to understand that we have much to learn from Mother Nature.

Mother Nature is by far one of our best role models and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather emulate.

Because there’s nothing more empowering than persevering in the face of adversity; standing tall and unfaltering no matter what our situation.

Like Mother Nature, we should refuse to be quieted, ignored, or dismissed.

We have to develop the ability to rise above our circumstances, whatever those might be, because we are strong; we are resilient.

We have the capacity to withstand pain, fatigue, and hunger.

We too are a force to be reckoned with should someone try to abuse, demean, or disrespect us or our loved ones.

And like Mother Nature, we are capable of living in less than ideal conditions because we are survivors.

Yes, ladies, there is much to learn from Mother Nature, and like the newly sprouted tree, we must rise, triumph and enjoy the beauty around us.

Do you feel as motivated as Mother Nature to conquer anything that might prevent you from reaching your goals?

Here’s to following the example of Mother Nature!

Can you really hold a good woman down?

I don’t know if anybody has noticed that I’ve included a nifty, little widget that counts down the days to my blog’s birthday.

According to this timer, in just fifteen days I will reach the mark of having blogged for an entire year.

It’s funny, cause it feels like only yesterday when I was writing my first post.

In tribute to my upcoming “blogoversary,” I thought it would be nice to share that very post with all of you.

Because only one person commented, (and more than likely the only person reading at the time!) I doubt any of you have had the opportunity to read it.

So what do you think? Would you like to see what my very first post looked like?

I should warn you, it’s impassioned and a bit raw.

However, it does show the side of me that loves to rally for female empowerment, justice, equality, assertiveness, and above all, perseverance at all costs.

I would be grateful if you would have a read and tell me what you think.

After all, what you think matters to me!

Thank you, ladies!

Enjoy!

cc licensed flickr photo shared by maury.mccown

As I sat in the middle of three loads of laundry that no one had bothered to fold, the haunting notes of my girl Mary J. Blige kept me company.

It wasn’t until I had folded boxer number twenty-five that I heard Mary croon, “You can’t hold a good woman down.”

Really, Mary, really?

As I look back on life’s passed up opportunities, the times I would’ve done this, would’ve been that, I can certainly relate to the fact that you can indeed hold a good woman down.

I for one, have lost track of just how many times I’ve been held down.

However, whether you choose to stay in the choke hold, well, that’s a different story.

But back to the question.

Are there things, circumstances, events, and people who can in fact hold a good woman down?

Hell yeah.

However, if I’ve learned anything, it’s this: It doesn’t help to struggle.

As a matter of fact, struggling makes it worse.

Instead, any smart woman is better served by playing dead;very much like when you’re in the woods and happen to come across a bear.

If you run, you’re dead.

If you try full hand to hand combat, you’re dead.

But if you play dead?

Well, lets just say you have a better chance of staying undead.

For those of you wondering just who or what can hold a good woman down, allow me to cite some examples.

Bad relationships hold a good woman down. Children hold a good woman down. Debt holds a good woman down. A lack of a college education holds a good woman down. Racism holds a good woman down. An ignorant society who still believes it’s okay for a woman to get paid less than a man even though she does double the work, holds a good woman down.

I’d venture to say, the list of who and what can hold a good woman down is endless.

However, bitching without trying to come up with answers or solutions, is just that, bitching.

I believe it’s time to identify how to break free from being pinned to the mat.

Or more importantly, it’s time to brain storm in how to prevent from being pinned in the first place.

For all those sisters who are in the back breaker horizontal hold, do not fret.

You can break free.

You can dominate your circumstances or your opponent.

It just takes a little strategy, a little patience and the ability to play dead.

Hang in there.

Help is not on the way but that doesn’t mean you can’t break free.

Maybe that’s what Mary means when she says “You can’t hold a good woman down.”

Maybe what she’s trying to say is that just because we may be down at this moment, it doesn’t mean we’re going to stay this way forever.

And now, back to laundry and playing dead.

Note: I’m linking up to Heidi’s blog, Me As A Mother. Won’t you check it out, please?

Vintage Saturday

cc licensed flickr photo shared by DBR9007

Can every day be a good day?

I’ve always considered myself to have pretty high self esteem. Of course there are those “bad hair days”, and those “fugly days” and the worse of the lot, those “hippo days”. Fortunately, those days are far and few between.

However, why isn’t it a surprise that just when you’re feeling on top of the world something happens to kick you back to one of the aforementioned statuses?

That “something” would happen to be finding yourself in line sandwiched between Ms. Vogue and Ms. Elle. Flowing tresses completely absent of split ends, perfectly manicured and pedicured feet, makeup fit for any Hollywood star and legs that don’t stop.

Any shred of self-esteem you may have had before you got in line has shamefully exited the building. The only thing you’re left with is a very severe inner critic who seems hell bent on reminding you that somewhere in a village an oompa loompa has gone missing.

You catch a glimpse of yourself in the reflection of the cashier’s glasses and you see flyaways, frizz and, is that a feather?

You look down at your fingernails and wonder where they have gone.

Sadly, you’re not brave enough to look down at your feet because you can’t even remember the last time a pumice stone came within a ten-mile radius.

And the makeup? Does pinching your cheeks for a minute and biting your lips before you came into the store count?

You pay for your items and do the walk of shame to the car.

As you sit at the driver’s seat, you wonder if there is a pygmy village somewhere in Central Africa that would welcome you with open arms.

In the meantime, Ms. Vogue and Ms. Elle are making their way to the parking lot. You glance at them in their perfect outfits, with their perfect hair, drinking their perfect Skinny Vanilla Lattes and that’s when you see it.

You quickly put your keys in your ignition, glance at your rear view mirror to make sure it’s clear, put your car in reverse and wait. They’re almost where you want them.

You put your car in drive as they get closer. Just a few more steps.

You take your foot off the brake and head for it.

It’s perfect and it’s waiting. Waiting, just waiting. The minute they walk next to it, you floor it.

Dirty water spurts everywhere. Screams are heard. Bags are dropped. Cursing ensues.

As you drive off, you once again look in the mirror and witness the macabre scene.

Ms. Elle and Ms. Vogue giving you the finger as they run after your vehicle.

No more flowing locks of hair. No more perfect makeup. No more gorgeous outfits.

Just two crazed looking women running behind your car drenched in muddy water.

Because while Mother Nature doesn’t always give us looks to die for, now and then she bequeaths us with the perfect puddle.