Lovin’ The Skin I’m In (make-up free!)

Lately, there has been much media attention on young ladies and women who’ve sustained injury due to illegal butt injections gone wrong. Quite a few of those receiving the illegal injections, have died or been victims of severe complications. The sad thing is, they are dying or becoming maimed for no reason at all.

The women and young ladies I’m speaking of, have fallen victim of the latest rage; that is having a big booty. We see these booty’s everywhere; in videos, magazines, and on TV to name a few. As a woman who struggled with poor self image as a teen and young adult, I can understand the struggle my sisters now face. It seems now a days, if a woman or girl doesn’t possess a bodacious derriere, she risks not being seen as beautiful by her male counterparts. This leads me to an age old question. Why, do we as women feel we have to measure-up to some ridiculous standard, set by some unknown force, who feels someone died and left them in charge of what is considered beautiful?

Many people blame it on Rappers and Rap videos, but I believe it goes so much deeper and started many years before Rap was ever heard of. I believe the tearing down of a woman’s self image and self esteem dates back to the days of the Old Testament. The convenience of modern media is just a means of perpetuating it.

I remember growing up as a young girl and being ridiculed for my dark skin; later it was my thick lips. My saving grace was I had a mother who taught me to embrace who I was. My struggle as a teen was with my big legs and narrow hips. As an adult the degrading remarks came because, I don’t have the classic bodacious booty most women of color possess.

For quite a few years I struggled with the fact, my buttocks were not as round and firm as some of my sisters. To add insult to injury, I was even slapped on the butt and called “flats” on more than one occasion by men as well as women of different races. One day. however, I had an awakening. On that day, I embraced (as my mother taught me), the woman I am. I am a strong, intelligent, confident, vivacious and beautiful woman and I stand in all the glory of who God created has me to be.

My sisters everywhere. I challenge you to dare to be who you are. I challenge you to embrace every inch of your body, however you’re shaped and declare yourself to be beautiful, because you are. We don’t need a big butt or big boobs for that matter to be beautiful. The Bible states in Proverbs 30:31 (Amplified Version) “Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!” Physical beauty is vain because 9 times out of 10, it doesn’t last!

Sister’s we must embrace, nurture and love ourselves as a whole, striving to become the best us we can be. As we age, it’s our inner beauty that will shine the brightest. It’s this inner woman who will fulfill all we are destined to be. I’ve included a link to Colbie Caillat’s song “Try” on YouTube; it’s of my favorite videos. (click here>) “Try” by Colbie Caillat

I hope the video and what I’ve said here will encourage you to love yourself just as you are. Be blessed!

Ciao!

Savannah J.  providing a place of tranquility away from the stress of life. 

Http://www.thesavannahjpublications.com 

Follow Savannah on Twitter   http://bit.ly/1tBBC6o 

on Google Plus http://bit.ly/1pnq9sP 

and on Facebook http://on.fb.me/10p1o32

Savannah is the author of The Prey now available in eBook on Kindle http://amzn.to/1xg0pgM and on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1q5hncz

Also look for Raising Tristan on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1pL4GqN and on Kindle http://amzn.to/1AlHl6g

Just a Step-Mother

Today when I heard the news of the death of, Beau Biden the son of, Vice President Joe Biden, my heart grew heavy for the Biden family. I was already feeling sad for a close friend in the loss of a daughter. And as I thought of these two families grappling with the death of a child, my mind turned to my Adren.

We buried him back in 1996 and still my heart hurts at the loss of him. I remember when we found out Adren’s death was inevitable, a co-worker pulled me aside and offered some advice. Now, what she said may sound cruel, but she was exactly right in her thinking. You see, Adren was my step-son and even though I loved him as my own, my co-worker wanted to prepare me for the reactions and comments I’d receive from people when they learned of his death. She said to me, remember, you’re just a step-mother.

Her words meant, it doesn’t matter that you helped raise him, did his laundry, cooked his meals, drove him around and helped him with his homework; people will not see you as his mother because you didn’t birth him. She was exactly right. When people found out that Adren wouldn’t make it, their question was how is your husband’s son. When he died, the question became, how is your husband holding up.

Looking back, I realize very few people outside of my now ex-husband, immediate family and a few close friends understood that I hurt too. What those who didn’t see my pain don’t know is, I still struggle. It’s been almost twenty years since, Adren died and each year around the time of his death, its tough for me. My ex-husband looks for a call at that time with me usually balling on the other end of the phone. We’ve gone from phone calls to hanging out just to get me through.

There are many other men and women out there who’ve taken on the role of loving a child not naturally theirs as if he/she were their own. They provide that child or children with a stable loving home and guidance well into their adult years. You see, not all step-parents are wicked, some of us are loving.

I applaud all step-parents out there making a difference. Keep doing what you’re doing and remember you are so much more that just a step-parent. To someone you are their everything.

Ciao!

Savannah J.  providing a place of tranquility away from the stress of life. 

Http://www.thesavannahjpublications.com 

Follow Savannah on Twitter   http://bit.ly/1tBBC6o 

on Google Plus http://bit.ly/1pnq9sP 

and on Facebook http://on.fb.me/10p1o32

Savannah is the author of The Prey now available in eBook on Kindle http://amzn.to/1xg0pgM and on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1q5hncz

Also look for Raising Tristan on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1pL4GqN and on Kindle http://amzn.to/1AlHl6g