Phenomenal and strong….
I recently heard a recording of Maya Angelou’s poem “Phenomonal woman”.
“I’m a woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me!”
It stirs something within me. It makes me proud to be a woman, to own it! Maya breaks the stereotypes associated with women and presents a message of self-love. Her poetry inspires me to strive to be true to myself. A celebration of womanhood with all its ups and downs! I think we all need to be supported in being true to ourselves, male and female alike. However, at times I think when a woman exerts herself and shouts a little harder to be heard there can be a negative reaction. For example, when we hear someone say that a person is “full of herself”, that expression seems to be said in a judgemental or begrudging way. It implies the person thinks they are wonderful. Powerful. Self assured. Now I ask the question……what exactly is wrong with that? Being full is surely better than being empty! You have nothing to give yourself or those around you when you are running on empty!! Oprah Winfrey claims to be full of herself and says she embraces it!
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.”
She’s so full of herself!! So how do we come to see a person full of themselves as a negative attribute? What exactly is this person full of? Is it bitterness, hatred, jealousy and negativity? Then …..no thanks! That kind of fullness is based on our ego and a need to be better at any cost. When this exists, is there space to be filled with true positivity, love and confidence? If a person is full of these things do we accept them as they are or cast judgement?
Maybe when we look at the person’s fullness, it forces us to ask questions about our own fullness. Do we feel full and satisfied ourselves? If not, why not? What fills us and what depletes us?
Maybe we secretly want to be that confident, to be so self-assured that we can take on the world and not care what people think! I then ask myself can being full of love and confidence in oneself come across as arrogant and cocky at times?. The full person displaying this confidence doesn’t seem to have a problem…. is it us that has an issue?! Our reaction to others can tell us a lot about ourselves. To intentionally hurt someone, belittle and judge another is not truly coming from someone who is full of love for oneself. Surely loving oneself gives us the freedom to love others and by loving others we can endeavour to create a better world. I would love if more people were full of themselves! Maybe the world would have more courage, acceptance and love. Surely that would be a great thing!
Encouragement, Love, Creativity and Happiness Jigsees now available!