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The Essence of A Woman
By Lorie Mitchell
Feb 6, 2008 - 9:16:23 AM

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I wanted to discuss why so many African American women are single, you know, in the spirit of Valentine's Day.  Then,  it hit me that really, I should address the true essence of becoming a woman.  I have noticed in this world of dating that many single sisters take on the attitude of something may be "wrong" with them or that they are not enough, while some married sisters feed off of that energy. These sisters entertain the idea that they are validated by the fact that they have been able to find "the one" and "lock him down."  This is a reoccurring social chain that has been repetitive throughout time. 

I recall attending one of the most important events in my life, and the question was asked to me, "What is your definition of a woman?" and my response was, "A woman is a person who makes rational decisions." Oh... if I could turn back the hands of time, I would change that answer. I would say, "A woman is not only a rational decision maker, but she is validated by the core of her TRUE self, she represents the epitome of who SHE is. Not who others deem her to be."

It is so cliché now to feel inadequate if you are single.  Being married or in a relationship does not suddenly give you a pass in becoming a woman. I am here to tell every single sister that, there is nothing wrong with you because you have not found your mate in life. There is nothing inadequate about you nor how you date.  There is no secret to dating that the married sisters have figured out, none of that! Men are simple!!! THERE IS NO SECRET. "Stop allowing your status dictate your purpose." Women, you are more than a white gown, a picket fence, a dog and two kids...oh...and the husband! You are an individual with value, and when you know who you are, married or single, then you have found the true essence of womanhood. Contact me at Lorie@isispages.com

Comments

Jill Maree
25 Apr 2008, 21:53
So well spoken, I applaude you for saying exactly what I say to myself on a regular basis. When I finally began to see my beauty and purpose was not associated with my marital status or lack thereof, I saw a woman that was beautiful, spiritual, loving, strong, and full of wisdom. I saw that who God created me to be at this very moment had nothing to do what others thought or disliked in me, but I am the epitome of Gods perfect love for me and that my destiny is personal,and others just show, lend, assist, and sharpen the Power, Love, and Strength that was already resident in me....I am a single, healthy, beautiful, intelligent, whole, complete, satisfied and educated, Mighty Desirable Woman who is full of power and love and not ashamed nor apologetic of my status of singleness in the present. I do not know what the future holds and if God wills for my status to change, so be it, and if He does not, I will be content in whichever state I am in, for it is only when one is Joyous inside can they speak life into themselves....

Forever your sister,
jm
Tina
28 Apr 2008, 14:04
Thank you for this article. I am a single black woman and finding Mr. Right hasn't been easy; matter of fact, I've stopped looking for a man to make me happy. I've had alot of self-esteem issues over the years and just this morning I was feeling down about myself and my life but in reality I've been blessed abundantly and my life is not half as bad as I make it out to be. So many times I look in the mirror and do not like what I see but I actually have nothing to complain about. Loving myself and feeling good about myself is a constant challenge because it is so easy to fall into the "ways of society" and we as women try to hard to satisfy those myths of finding Mr. Right and having the white pickett fence and the kids and the dog but it's not that easy. Every day is a challenge to remember that love and happiness comes from within and if you aren't happy within yourself then the husband, fence, kids or the dog won't make a difference. I see so many people that are "just" married; no relationship in it whatsoever. Self worth as a woman is priceless. Once again, than you for the article, it was something that I needed to read today.

Thank you,
T.....
cinnamon1
29 Apr 2008, 08:25
One thing alot of women dont understand is that loving your self takes work, patience, and commitment. If you have not put in the work to make you the best you possible, so that you can look in the mirror and say I'm glad I'm me, you will always end up in bad relationships. YOu have to know your worth and believe it even if your surroundings do not reflect the work you put in. I know for a fact nothing happens before its time even though you want it now. Being married is just as much work as being single so enjoy what path your life is on as it unfolds.
Sheryl
29 Apr 2008, 13:39
After hearing the youtube post of the brotha blaming Black Women for all that is wrong in the world, it is refreshing to have someone speak up for the single sistas. No, single does not equate with un desirable. It does not mean something s wrong with you or your choices. Women out number men, at least 75% of the prison population is Black Men, we are at war and then you throw in the undesirables (drugs, crime, etc) and you end up with a lot of single women. Look on the bright side, you cared enough about yourself NOT to settle!
Cash
30 Apr 2008, 08:00
I kinda disagree with some of the things that she said because, she made a very broad statement to all women saying that there is nothing wrong with them and that basically that them being single is not a reflection on who they are as a person. Which I disagree with because just like you have trifling men you have trifling woman too. And there is alot of stuff wrong with alot of sisters and is a reflection on why they are single. I will give you an example of what I saying. Take these women that have a whole list of stuff that a man has to have and what they are willing to put up with but they aren't coming to the table with much. One of my girlfriends makes about 37k and has a little girl she is in her mid 30's but she wants a man who doesn't have kids although she has one and she wants a man that makes like 50-60k but that is not where she is. I have problem with women who want more than they are willing to give. Or the women who is seeing 5 different dudes and wonder why none of them are tryin to wife her. There is a problem with the way she is dating. If I were a man I not trying to make you my one and only and you are doing your thing. I do understand that she may have been trying to address the good women however, the problem with broad statements is that the trifling ones read it and are now under the assumption that how and what they are doing that other women are doing it and think that it is ok.
kojo b
30 Apr 2008, 13:59
We all start as singles before we migrate into the sanctified uniion of marriage. Anyone who will glorify being single especially after some age be it a man or a woman has big issues in almost everything. I am not going to write a dissertation on this topic but I can it is of utmost importance for anyone to have that union of marriage/relationship for 1000s of reasons especially RESPECT. The writer tried to glorify her being single as good and I think you will be living in a fools paradise to totally accept such unfortunate idea. As a man, the way I approach a woman with a RING on her finger is totally different from the woman with no RING on her finger. Most men can attest to this, period
Jay
03 May 2008, 13:06
I totally diagree with the writer of this article. For starters, it's troublesome to think we have to adjust to being single because of the self righteous/serving society we live in today. God did not intend for us to be single. Due to the social trends that are forced down our throats, it makes it adurous to date or get married. In addition, our roles as men and women are not defined and they are permature. We encourage our daughters to be independent while on the other hand we have little expectations of our sons. Moreover, we have adapted the philosophy of failure with a fight. In all relationships there will be struggle. We have given up on one another. Women get married young, it eliminates comparasion and multiple negative experiences. Attach yourself to a positive elder couple to guide you and your family.
Curtis Odom
05 May 2008, 12:15
I am the father of a daughter 35 and a Chemical Engineer who is single.I raised her as a single parent.She has dated but none leading to marriage.There are not many brothers that she comes in contact with that share her values and is also single like many sisters.Besides this webrothers are put off by sisters and their idiosyncratic behaviors that keep us at bay.What are you bringing to the table besides sex ?This is not a simple issue on all sides.Peace.
Nikia
07 May 2008, 13:55
I agree with the writer. I have been single for a while. I realize that single women should not allow a man to validate them. I know who I am and who I belong to. I am qualified to be alone. It is okay. I just have to wait on God. I don't have to go out searching because God is always on time. I think women who say I can't be alone is giving a man too much power. It is my relationship with God that validates who I am. I know that there is nothing wrong with me. I realize that no one ever questions a man when he is single and enjoying life. Why is there a double standard?? When a woman is single every body keeps trying to marry her off. People act like you have some type of disease. Give me a break. I am so free. Ladies just love yourself and work on being your best self and everything will happen in due time. Marriage is not always a piece of cake.
Rachel
14 May 2008, 12:29
I am glad you wrote this article Im a single women and society has lead me to think that being single at 30 means something is wrong with you. I want to say thank you so much.
Brenda
22 May 2008, 06:35
I sat and I read over the different opinions of individuals, and where as I agree with your article on a median basis, you made some very valid points.
First of all, you must love self first in order to expand and share that loves with another. You must have similiarities with this individuals so that you may extend your love to him, and he to you, so that you may be complete. I use to be very judgmental, but I had to realize I wasn't perfect, so how did I expect someone else to be. Find the good in people and dwell on that, and let the negativity dissolve into nonetheless. There are many things I dislike about many people, but I don't even entertain that aspect of them, I dwell on the good, and when the negative arises withdraw yourself from the drama for awhile, and then dwell on the good in order to maintain a friendship. If you judge people in the perspective that you judge yourself, you will find that individual that you are seeking because two imperfections that are not perfect for each other, can sometimes lead to perfection.
M.B.
05 Jul 2008, 18:17
Cinnamon1 I certainly agree with you. Before you can truly love someone else you must completely be in love with self. Inividuals often judge those who are not in a relationship or married with kids by a certain age, and it's sad. Some people, both men and woman get married to the wrong people because of the pressure they get from society, and this is why a lot of relationships do not last.
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