Phenomenal Women Out There?

Having two beautiful daughters, my hope is convince them of their beauty and have it not be defined by society. I've struggled with self-esteem and I'm on a new path to keep my thoughts healthy as well as my body.

...If I run, I run not to make the numbers on the scale go down

...If I run, I run for energy to play with my kids and grand kids and even my great-grand kids

...If I run, I run to keep my body healthy so I don't fall into that breast cancer that has so sneakily burned through so many of the strong females in my family's history

...I eat healthy, yes, but don't get it twisted -- I'll top my salad with a heap o sweet pork and take some fries with that shake just so I don't lose my sanity.

Just as we've been learning this past general conference:

Just because we live IN the world,

doesn't mean we should live OF the world.

One of my fave poems from one of my fave poets reminds me that it don't matter if your thin, it don't matter if your tan, or if you got big boobs....that don't make you a woman any more than the others...It's how you carry yourself...with confidence...confidence knowing your a woman, and a phenomenal one at that.

PHENOMENAL WOMAN

by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing of my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

keep It real yall...

signed,

a Phenomenal Woman