Thursday, November 12, 2009

The One Flaw In Women

If you remember, I spoke earlier this week on embracing change. Today, I was asked a question that really made me stop and think about how I should answer. The question was, "When was the last time in your life when you were asked change something about yourself. How did you handle it and what was the outcome?"

Wow, being asked to change something about myself. Usually, I'm not asked to change, it comes from a forced situation or from a personal desire; however, this really got me thinking.

I am constantly seeking out advice and support from my loved ones to keep me accountable and to also help me become a better person. This doesn't necessarily mean I expect people to point out my fundamental downfalls, but simply making me aware of little idiosyncrasies that may help in improving my overall happiness or contentment. I couldn't really recall a time when someone sought me out and asked me to change.

But then I remembered….

A few years ago, I was a point in my life where I was faced with some rather weighted challenges. I was living under a false conception and had to work hard to overcome many obstacles. Looking back, I fully believe that the experiences I endured made me the person that I am today, but going through it, I was asked to change. I was asked to change the way I thought, the things I did, and my feelings on certain things. These changes that were being asked of me were all in my best intention, and even though I knew that at the time, it look awhile to actually believe them.

There is one piece of this all that has left the most valued impression in my life and I will truly never forget. In the middle of my struggle, I was asked something that no one has ever asked me before, nor had I ever contemplated. During this all, when I was at my lowest and feeling the most insecure and unworthy, someone once asked me…
"What is it that makes you feel that you don't deserve happiness?"

Wow! They couldn't have been more eye-opening. What was keeping me from feeling worthy? After I truly pondered this, I came to the realization that the only thing coming in between me and my overall happiness was myself.

We as women are pretty incredible. We have so many insurmountable characteristics and are able to face the unthinkable. But if there is one thing that I have discovered about this gender, is that we don't give ourselves enough credit.

I want to share this poem that was sent to me by my good friend. Take a moment to read this and then realize how extremely wonderful you really are!

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.


I hope this touched you today as much as it did for me.

I wanted to share this with you guys because I can't tell you enough how thankful I am to have your friendships and support in my life. You are all so wonderful and for that, I am forever grateful!

Okay, but since I know most of you are probably here for another reason, I won't leave you without sharing some of the happenings of my day....
Work FLEW by, mainly because of a pretty eventful meeting that took over 2 hours. When I got home, I was feeling rather sore and tight all over. Yoga would be my remedy for this.
I did 30 min of Yoga Sculpt on Exercise TV and felt a-ma-zing afterwards. I use to turn away from yoga because I never really felt like it was a real workout, but then I discovered the unbelievable effects it has on my body after I started running. I don't do yoga to get a hardcore workout, I do yoga to heal from all of my hardcore workouts and also to bring me peace at the end of my days. It's some of the most gratifying and freeing 30 min in my day.
Tonight, dinner was on my own since Toly was out with some co-workers.

I decided on one of my famous "Skillet Creations" where I literally pull out several ingredients from my fridge that I believe will taste fantastic all combined into one mess of a creation.

Tonight, the ingredients were

TJ's Organic Spinach and Fontina Chicken Sausage, White Beans, Sundried Tomatoes, Broccoli and Squash stir fried in a garlic white wine sauce, served over steamed spinach and topped with melted goat cheese.





Also sipped on my favorite wine while cooking. (Every chef's secret ingredient is wine, weather you add it to the food or to your body, it always makes the food taste better!)

The Vouvray is such a great wine! A subtle white with a crisp hint of sweetness. LOVE IT!


My stir frying away....

End result was glorious!



This is how I dine solo. Candle, wine and lap top. All the company I need!


Tomorrow is Friday, in case you didn't realize this. I am really looking forward to another relaxed weekend. It's supposed to be another nice one weather wise, so I think we may try to sneak in one last hike before it's too late!

Enjoy your night everyone!

16 comments:

  1. That's a wonderful poem and such a true message!! Thank you for the wonderful reminder that we ARE worth it and we ARE enough just as we are! : )

    I'm thankful to have "met" you, my dear! ; )

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  2. What a great post!! This is one that I feel I should go back and read over!

    I'm soooo happy tomorrow is Friday! YAY!

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  3. Great poem! It is so true! Thank you for posting it and for bringing it to my attention. I am going read it whenever I need a pick me up. BTW, great skillet sensations, too! I love ho you just threw everything together and with a little bit of magic (wine), it all tasted good! Enjoy the weekend!

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  4. What an inspirational post. I am with Estela...I am coming back to read this again tomorrow (and the next day :)). Thank you. We totally were separated at birth! GREAT dinner :)

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  5. Such potent words - THANK YOU for sharing! I'm taking those words to heart.

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  6. Hey girl! In response to your comment on my blog, I do like that galaxy granola. It's fruit juice sweetened which I think is cool. I usually like a bit clumpier granola, but it tastes good. I think the radically raspberry is my favorite.

    Awww, I love that poem! Thanks for posting it :) Your stirfry looks great, too. I haven't had goat cheese in a long time-- I miss it! Have a great night!

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  7. Hey girl, just catching up!
    1)Those twice baked sweet potatoes looks so yummy--except for the coconut--blech!
    2) Great buys!! You were lucky for sure!
    3) thanks for sharing your thoughts on change and being worthy--we all deserve happiness--and you do too! xoxo

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  8. Wow, loved your relfections, thoughts and that poem in the beginning! Thank you for sharing. You are one gem, my friend!!

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  9. I love this poem - and I think every woman can definitely relate in some way! Great post :) As for the "wine" secret ingredient note, that is SO TRUE hahaha!!!

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  10. That is definitely an inspiring poem Lauren. Than you so much for sharing that! I have to agree with everything that's said in there, but obviously there are some people out there that this poem doesn't quite apply to....but let's forget them! hhahah It's interesting that so much content of the poem is geared towards the emotions that women have though!

    I'm thankful to have YOU and your blog in my life too girl!!! :)

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  11. Those stir fried veggies and vino = excellent night :)

    What an amazing introduction! Thank you for posting that. I often find myself putting others first which can be good but if you do that too much it becomes a bad thing. THANK YOU for all of your support to me - I really do appreciate it. If you ever need any support, I'm here :)

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  12. That was a really great poem Lauren. Thank you for posting that! :)

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  13. absolutely gorgeous & inspirational!! :)

    xoxo
    shelley

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  14. Laura...this was a beautiful, stunning post. I really needed this. Thank you, so much, for reminding me to give myself more credit, and to love myself more. I always want to love others more, and how can I truly love others if I don't even really treat myself right?

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  15. My dietician asks me that every time I see her (I don't have regular appointments with her anymore but I email her and stop by her office from time to time). I definitely feel unhappy and unwilling to allow myself to feel happy when I'm at school. I'm not sure why but it's definitely been a huge barrier the last couple of years. A lot of times I feel unworthy of treating my body right and I know that's totally wrong but I can't help it. There's a piece of the puzzle that I can't figure out!

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  16. beautiful post and beautiful eats!!!

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