Trigger Warning for Domestic Violence Articles.
When a woman is truly loved, she will go through hell and back for you. She will move mountains, protect your heart, sing your praises, and hold you tight.
When she loves a man for who he is today—not for who she envisions him becoming—the relationship flourishes. It feels like a partnership, a team. That doesn’t mean it will always be easy, but it does mean you’ve found someone with whom you can lower your guard, someone who makes life a little brighter. At the foundation of this bond is mutual respect, always.
However, when we, as women, accept breadcrumbs, allow a man to talk down to us, or justify his harmful actions, we get stuck in a cycle that keeps us from moving forward toward our true purpose.
I was that woman for years. In every relationship, I felt the need to “fix” them. Of course, they pushed back—why wouldn’t they? No one wants to be reminded that they aren’t good enough.
It’s only recently that I realized: I was seeing them through the lens of my own insecurities. Because I didn’t feel good enough, I projected that onto them. And because I didn’t feel worthy, I attracted men who also didn’t feel worthy—a recipe for disaster in any relationship.
This realization has shaped how I view all relationships, even beyond romantic ones. It’s how I feel about leaders in our nation, corporations, and families when they knowingly disrespect others.
Women, if we want something to change, we must be the ones to step up and say, “Enough is enough.”
When you say, “What’s the big deal?” or “Give him another chance.”
Will you say, “Give him another chance?” to:
A mom who sent her daughter off to college, later to find out she was sexually assaulted, and the daughter was too afraid to say anything in fear that they would blame her or retaliate.
Say it to Daisy in Seymour that was sexually assaulted at 13 years old by two adult male family members. Her doctor was brave enough to speak up for what was right, just to have the court put the men on probation, and it wasn’t until they violated their probation that they were sent to prison.
Say it to the woman in Springfield, that on the night of Dec. 23, 2022, a man held a knife to her and her child’s throats, trapped her in a bedroom with the lights off and told her, “Merry Christmas, this will be your last one. We’re all gone tonight.”
Say it to the daughter and family members of Stephanie Childs in Ballwin, MO. that was shot and killed by her husband as their daughter witnessed her mother lying on the floor as her father stood over the victim’s body. He had an order of protection to stay away but broke into Stepanie’s house.
Say it to the women and children at Harmony House that finally had the courage to leave after he threatened her for years that if she did leave, he would harm her family and the people she loves.
How many chances are we going to give?
How are women supposed to feel safe when this type of behavior is tolerated?
How can we lift each other up and create an environment that allows a safe space if we keep getting silenced or called hysterical?
What has to happen in order for women to finally be seen and heard for speaking up for what is right?
Where is the empathy and basic human dignity?
If the “Leader” doesn’t have respect for women and minorities, why would anyone else?
Let’s rise above and speak up for what is right, instead of just allowing each generation to pick up the pieces. Rising above doesn’t have to be big plays, just small amounts of love throughout our days, months, and years. This will create space for other woman to see their worth, love who they are, and know they have an army of other women backing them up.
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