Girlfriends Day

One of my childhood girlfriends I've know since I was 5 years old sent me an email for Girlfriends Day. I loved the sentiment of the email but even more, it reminded me of the love I have for all girlfriends in my life who continue to uplift me, encourage me, and think the best of me... even when I don't think the best about myself. So to all my girlfriends, sister friends and fellow readers this one is for you...

Life is
Too short to wake up with
regrets.
So love
the people
who treat you right.
Love the ones who don't
just because you can.
Believe everything happens for
a reason.
If you get a second chance,
grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Kiss slowly.
Forgive quickly.

I'll add... live life with purpose, laugh out loud, pray often, ask for help when you need it, forgive everyone, love hard and dream BIG! Happy Girlfriend Day!

Find these images at http://www.yahoo.americangreetings.com/ecards/display.pd?prodnum=3079179&path=41164

It ain't easy being green or being a women!

I always struggle with this balance of what it means to be a woman. So often I have identified myself with the man in my life, the position I have held on my job... the kind of sister, friend, or daughter I am. But now, having reached what I feel is the half way point in my life, I'm called upon to be more reflective, to be more introspective, to ask myself... "just what kind of women do I want to be?"

I've had some ups and I've had some downs. I've learned the lesson of self-love, self-expression, and self-esteem the hard way. I have had great loves and I have lost what I thought was the love of my life (turns out he was just a great love of a particular season in my life). While I've been able to peel back the layers of my soul to get to who I am as a Child of God, I still struggle with who I am as this female energy called "woman". Am I to be this strong, go get ‘em woman that my job calls for… while I'm out in the world… "on the grind”… “makin’ that paper”. While I do that... can I also be vulnerable and open up to all parts of my myself in an intimate relationship with someone who I hold dear and who I desperately need to be the caretaker of my heart? Will one soul energy source of dominance or submission surpass or overshadow the other?

I struggle with this push and pull of the masculine and feminine energy every day. It is the Ying and the Yang of me. When I am centered, focused, and bathed in Christ Consciousness I am in perfect balance with these two energies. When I am off, even if only by a little bit, one or more of the opposite polarities that make up the human psyche throw me for a loop. In these moments I pray and meditate. I turn within and ask the Creator to bring me back to the center… to allow me to focus… to allow me rise to my higher self… but it is a struggle.

I strive to experience unconditional love, without judgment, and without conviction. As I do, I understand the road to unconditional love and non-judgment is paved with a path called forgiveness. In this moment I forgive all who I have perceived having done me wrong me and I forgive myself for being so hard on a yearning soul that simply wants to be free.

These are my struggles... what are yours? How can love and forgiveness help you to overcome them?