It is 2022 and my gender received a blow that has left me reeling, as the choice to control my body was stripped from me 2 short weeks ago by an institution that does not look like me, does not know my story, or does not relate to the experiences my gender has and will continue to endure. 

This is not a political post as I do not believe the rights of my body should be political. The choices I make are not the business of the the Democrats or Republicans. They should be the decisions of me, and me alone, in my opinion. 

But the decisions that were made by the Supreme Court of the United States of America has made me think of what it means to be a woman in 2022.

We as women live in a male dominated world. Gone are the days of the matriarch and as the rules of engagement have changed over time, what it means to be a female has taken on a completely different meaning, and we are struggling to find our identity and place in a cold world. 

I Am Woman!

1. I am expected to be perfect - the perfect ideal of beauty, successful in my career, educated, a good wife and mother, sweet, sensual and sensitive, while navigating through a workforce in which men make the rules and we still follow them. 

2. I am expected to have a voice, but not be too loud. I am encouraged to speak my truth, but often get talked to behind closed doors when my voice is one of dissent or questioning the status quo.

3. I am expected to be independent, but also often criticized for being too much. What is too much? Too opinionated, too submissive, too successful, too loud, too sexy, too big, too educated, too emotional, too intuitive, too strong, too weak.....

4. I am supposed to feel safe - as the violence increases. Women are often the targets of crimes, both committed by strangers, foes and friends. I travel for a living and yet the rules are different for a female traveling alone - do not go out alone at night, triple lock your hotel rooms, look around you in dark parking lots or be aware of your surroundings so that you are not followed back to your room. And if you are a victim of violence, what did you do wrong that got you into this situation?

5. I am supposed to feel empowered, but the right to vote was only given to my gender less than 100 years ago. I am living in a political environment that does not look like me or represent my views. I am in a work force where I am the minority and my opinions are often ignored. 

6. I survived a pandemic!  Women were asked to not only be mothers, but also to be teachers. They were asked to work, but also be the primary care taker. They were expected to be good wives, spouses and significant others by sacrificing every ounce of their soul. And do so with a smile on their face.

7. I am expected to take it - cheating spouses, disempowering bosses, medical rights being stripped away, my environment dying a slow death, a country divided, a war in a foreign land. I am expected to take it in the bedroom and the boardroom.

8. The feminine power crumbling. My ancestors were burned at a stake. The Red Tent no longer a symbol of the community of women. The intuitive criticized instead of revered. The magic of the feminine being persecuted instead of celebrated. The powerful hiding away afraid of destruction. 

The above are very much our reality today. 

However, I Am Woman.

1. I create life. The life of a child is created in my body and birthed from it. The past, present and future of this world truly relies on my ability to bring it into this world. 

2. I have a voice - the voice of reason, peace, love and joy. I use this voice to right wrongs, to tell my story, to celebrate all that is good, to share, to learn, and to grow so we don't repeat the mistakes of our past.

3. I am empathetic - I feel for people, and with that power I create teams, I save lives, I build relationships, I love peoples stories, I listen, I feel and I heal. 

4. My ancestors are magic. They healed the sick and wounded. They prayed. They attracted miracles. 

5. I bring peace - in my family, in my workplace, and in the world. I do not crave the power, the wars, the destruction. 

6. I bring unity and not divide. Unity that does not look at gender, color of skin, politics, religion, or beliefs. A unity that is based on love, just pure love.

7. I bring joy, laughter and the love of life to all I touch. I was recently told I live my life differently than anyone they know, and they are right, and I will celebrate that, and I will continue to do so.

8. I find ways to bring love into the world - through my cooking, my relationships, my love of life, my energy and my passion. And women do this every single day.

9. I dry tears and bring smiles. 

10. I am love. I love with my heart, body, soul and mind. I am an infinite source of love and resilience. 

11. I am powerful - at home, at work and in this world. 

12. I am beautiful. 

13. I feel and there is so much power in those emotions. I feel the sadness of a broken heart, the anger of being wronged, the joy of being alive, and the power of being in love.

14. I celebrate other women.

15. I have created a tribe, a tribe of the most beautiful, incredible, powerful, smart, funny and loving women on this planet...and I am grateful. 

And so much more.....

I Am Woman!