Written by What does it mean to be a woman, a question I have never explored until this very moment.
From an early age, I noticed that being a “girl” put me in a place of vulnerability and I was very aware that physical danger was awaiting me if I wasn’t careful. So as a young adult “woman” I would make sure that my clothes and persona were tough enough to scare away predators.
Now I look back and see that it wasn’t until bearing a child, at the age of 40, that I began to connect with my womanhood. I was getting in touch with my body and its functions specific to having a child and becoming awakened to the physical characteristics that make me a WOMAN. I loved being pregnant, I loved my body and being able to hold another universe within.
I have spent a lot of time rejecting the expectations put on me by the outside world of what a woman is or should be, or should not be. I have never been sure of how I fit into the expectations of the world around me. I also, at times, did not want to own the power and blessings that come with femininity. On the inside, I felt like I hadn’t decided if I wanted to be feminine and on the outside, I knew to be a tomboy or punk sent a message to leave me alone, I’m not open for this “girl” business. Sometimes I wonder if I would have chosen to be a woman in this lifetime if I were given a choice before I was born. I suppose I have also been pissed off about being a woman, now that I think about it. So far, the most amazing thing about being a woman has been birthing my daughter, who by the way is VERY girly and VERY feminine. I’m having an ‘aha!’ moment writing this. I may even need a good cry.
With so much love to each and every women’s journey,
Ruth Chase
If you want to know more about I AM HERE, please click here. Thank you to Sara Clark for editing help OXOXOXO
Women’s Equality Day !
Women’s Equality Day celebrates the anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the United States’ Constitution on August 26, 1920. The amendment granted women the right to vote for the first time and was a result of the women’s suffrage movement in the USA.
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Hi Ruth, Im not sure if you remember me but I (Christine Dion) was Adrienne’s aide when she was in Audrey Height’s class. I saw your post on Facebook and was intrigued and followed the link. What you wrote truly resonated with me. Being a woman does place you in such a vulnerable position especially in our world today. Raising two daughters can be challenging and trying to guide them to embrace their femininity but also teaching them to be wary and careful in any and all interactions with others is quite the challenge. As I’ve gotten older and slowly surrendered to my femininity I feel more at peace than ever before but that was only possible (at least for me) because I trust my husband unconditionally. I worry the world today will make it very difficult for a young woman to be herself and open up to new experiences and new people. How does a young person today have a discerning eye and keep oneself safe but also remain open to all life’s treasures?
Christine, it’s GREAT to hear from you. Of course, I remember you.
I relate to what you are saying. I may not be able to put it all into words here, but I have two thoughts from what you wrote.
Women have left their station. I don’t buy into the idea that men are the problem. Women raise men. Men have culturally overreached because women have abandoned their power in the home and in their relationships. I’m speaking in general terms.
The other thought I have is….. I sooooo relate to what you say about trusting your partner. I think women work best from the feminine if they are in a relationship of trust. It takes trust and safety to open up to vulnerability. I find a lot of my superpowers are in my femininity, and they are the most profound when I can relax into a place of total vulnerability. Then I have access to intuition, nurturing, my inner GPS, and discerning from good and bad. I become a seer, a healer, a guide, a gatherer, a boundary keeper, and a homemaker. These energies complement the masculine energies.
My daughter and I talk about this all the time. For her it makes sense. She is way more feminine than I will ever be. Ironically she chose a college to go to that was overly traditional instead of progressive. In weighing the pros and cons she wanted to stay out of the culture wars. War in my opinion is the opposite of communication. So the current culture wars prevent these very important topics from being discussed in an authentic and healing way.