We all have those voices in our heads that tell us we are less than, unable to, or unworthy. Anna Quindlen penned it perfectly in her text, ‘Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake’, when she reminds us that we are enough. We have a terrible habit in our culture of sending mixed messages to our women, especially young girls….thing like…
- Be smart, but not too smart…boys don’t like smart women.
- Speak your mind…yet you don’t want to rock that boat, you might not get the promotion as people do not always like opinionated women.
- You can never be too thin or too pretty…yet you might not be taken seriously as you are too pretty.
- Be confident and strong…but not too strong, women who are too strong are usually called a BIT**!
- You will have to choose between family and career – no one has both, or does it well.
- And make sure you think long and hard before you alienate any man, he may be a good candidate for a husband.
It sounds shocking, and yet I have heard all of those statements at one time or another along my journey. Sad but true. No matter how hard we work we often are told one thing, then another, then a third version…all of which eventually swirl around in our head and leave us feeling confused and less than. Anna Quindlen reminds us that – say it with me – I am enough.
What if you dared to believe that you are enough, just the way you are? You ARE enough just the way you are. Fat, thin, rich, poor, smart, silly, talented or just plain. No matter what, you are enough. You have something to contribute, people care about you, your actions make a difference, and your soul is important in this world.
Learn to repeat it to yourself on a regular basis….
I am Enough!!!
Ann Art Gallery Blog 