Women - Just a Thought

Every flower develops a blemish.

To rise above it, and be seen as beautiful,

This is flower realized;

Flower fulfilled.

Every woman develops a blemish.

To rise above it and be seen as beautiful,

This is a woman realized; 

This is a woman fulfilled.

Whatever minimizes you,

Rise above it.

This in itself is an act of realization; 

This rising above, and being fulfilled,

This is a woman.

Things which we feel minimize us are just, well... things. We need to learn to let things like this go. It's traveling your path with a stone in your shoe. You will continue to move forward, but at what cost? And, if you're limping along with that stone in your shoe, you'll be favoring that legs and end up traveling in circles.  Better to remove the stones that bothering you or learn to rise above them.

Blemishes, scars, and such, do not define who you are.  Your titles, certificates, and college degrees only define what you are.  Your ethics and how you treat other people, how you befriend them, love them, mentor, and cheer them on, these are the ways you define who you are.

It always amazes me that people who think they're "all that" are the people first to rush to judgment of others.  These bastions of morality and ethics who scream the loudest and are first to fail their own tests.  I'm a hypocrite and I have never denied the fact.  But, at least I don't blow smoke up everyone else's ass.  I try to tell it like it is, and I will judge those who judge others which is why I am my own worst critic as I freely judge myself.  I offend people constantly, and they're usually those members of the perpetually offended.  I should try harder not to offend them, but I have found this to be an exercise in futility.  I should let it go, but it is one pebble which keeps me awake and steady on my path.

I love women.  I love all women.  I have met those, however, who do themselves a disservice by judging themselves too harshly for what they are.

Just a thought, but I think women, in particular, outwardly worry way too much about "what" they are, and how others see them.  I think what's important is how you see yourself.  If you think you're fat, but you're resigned to it, what's wrong with dressing nice and putting your best foot forward?  Instead of covering up the scars and blemishes which you can't do anything about, try letting everyone see your "proof of life" and show them how to live out of the shadows.  Show everyone the pride you have in "who" you are.

People who will judge say more about themselves than about you.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.