My Self Worth Is Not For Sale

As I sit at my computer, I am constantly thinking back over conversations I have had with women of various ages, and it infuriates me some of the things they have experienced while dealing with the men in their lives.

The resounding thread that binds all of my interactions is that the men don't value them or they feel that the men don't really understand their worth. The question I constantly asked all of these women is, "Do you know your worth?" You see you can't expect someone to treat you in a way that you don't believe you are deserving of yourself. They want to be treated like queens but don't set the standard for that type of treatment.

You can't behave like a commoner and expect royal treatment. What I mean by that statement is that you can't ever demean yourself or compromise for the sake of companionship and expect to still be held in a high regard. I have been told by some men that I think too highly of myself. I disagree, what I am hearing those men say is that they aren't willing to do what it takes to have me. You see I am as valuable as the rarest gem you could ever find, so you will not treat me like cheap or costume jewelry.

It is apalling to see how many women will allow men to demean and degrade them just to say they have a man. I would rather die alone before I would allow any man to mistreat me or not recognize the good thing that he has in his life. I don't believe it is being arrogant or conceited. I believe it is exuding a positive self image and knowing my worth. It is time out for women settling. They need to hold men accountable for how they interact with them. If they don't like the treatment, move on to the next guy.

Men would want women to believe there is a shortage on good men. I beg to differ. I believe that women need to broaden their mind and definition of what a good man is. I personally am not opposed to dating a man from another culture. I have tried my own. I have not been successful, so now it is time to possibly venture into unknown territory. Love knows no boundaries or limits. I am now open to truly living a limitless life.

Love Isn't Love Until You Give It Away

Love: a passionate affection of one person for another. As I look around, it appears that people aren't as loving as they should be. What happened to the love for our fellow man? I believe I am a genuinely loving person. I don't think I have ever met a stranger. I had the pleasure of meeting a friend's family for the first time and their reception of me was surprising. They responded to me and interacted with me as though we had known each other all of our lives. Did they do this because they could feel the love in my heart or was it just me being me? I try to always be as open to new people as possible, but they don't always receive me the same.





I believe that love isn't truly love until it is given away. The funny thing about the word love is that it is both a noun and a verb. It is a thing and an action. It is something to possess as well as give away. You can be a loving person, but how will anyone know unless you demonstrate it. I heard in the news today that Eunice Kennedy Shriver had passed away and instantly I began to remember all the things that I had heard that she had done in her life.



She lived a life constantly demonstrating love. In one news article I read that she had worked for the Department of Defense for a dollar assisting veterans reiterate themselves into society after serving in combat and that she was the founder of the Special Olympics after seeing the mistreatment of disabled individuals. I never knew any of this. She did numerous other loving things in her life, but the few that I read showed how she made it a point to give her love away. At the end of the day money may dwindle, possessions may be destroyed but love never goes away.



When I look into the face of children I am constantly reminded of how unconditional love should be. They just love. No questions asked. They don't care about credentials or accomplishments they just love you. They don't care about skin color, religion, weight, or the other stipulations adults put on each other they just love you for who you are. I met the sweetest, friendliest little girl while visiting a friend the other day. When I stepped out of my car she immediately came up to me and started a conversation. She couldn't have been more than 3 or 4 years old, and had the sweetest personality you ever wanted to see. One thing that came to mind is that hate is taught. You see she was of a different race than myself, but she didn't care about that, she saw someone that she wanted to introduce herself to and she did just that.



What I realized from that little girl is to never stop giving my love away. No matter how mistreated I have been by some it hasn't been by all. Each person deserves their own opportunity to receive the wonderful gift of love that I can share. Love is a beautiful thing to have. It is invigorating. It is exhilarating. It puts a bounce in your stride. It makes your heart sing a new melody. It broadens your smile. One thing that I thank God for everyday is having people in my life that genuinely love me. If I don't have a dime in my pocket or they are overflowing. When I am a diva or look like I have been hit by a bus, they love me. They encourage me and stand by me.



It is a precious treasure to have someone love you. To love you with an unconditional love. No strings attached and no prerequisites.

When You Die What Will Men Say About You

As of late I have really been contemplating what my legacy will be once I crossover to my heavenly state. I am not planning on dying anytime soon, but creating a worthy legacy is still on my mind. What really propelled my thoughts to the future was a song by Kirk Franklin on his "Hero" CD. The title of the song is "The Appeal". The strongest verse in the song says: "When I die what men will say about me. Will the work that I've done be enough to help someone? When I die, will I draw men's hearts to you? At the setting of the sun will I hear you say well done when I die?

That is prolific to me. What I am hearing it say is what affect will you have had on your fellow man? Will you have truly lived or just existed? At the celebration of your life will men have to lie about who you were, or will their hearts overflow with the good that you have sown? Was your heart and hands always open to give from what you were blessed with or were you selfish instead of selfless? Will your life be a living epistle openly read of all men? Is what they are reading leading them closer to Christ or away from him? Will Christ be pleased with what you did with your life when you stand before him in judgment?

Wow, that is heavy. I don't know about anyone else but I try to always live a life pleasing to him. One that shows my gratitude for him dying and rising for me. For him loving me when I didn't love myself nor him. A life that is reciprocal of our friendship, our relationship, our marriage. Christ is married to the church. I am proudly a part of that church. My goal in life is to lead others to be a part as well. I believe if I were to die and go to glory that I have left an impact for good. I have fed the hungry. Clothed the naked. Ministered to the broken hearted. Shared the love of Christ that is shed abroad in my heart.

I haven't finished my course because I am still running my race, however I feel that I am well on my way to hearing "Well done my good and faithful servant".