To The Viral Women Of The World

In March of 2014, my thoughts were so loud and my home was so silent that I needed a place to pour it all out. So, I started a blog.

It Changed My Life

I was a new mom coming out of a broken, sloppy and violent, relationship that first started after sexual assault. I stayed in it for five years. I didn’t think I deserved any better. She (yes, she!) would tell me,

“No one could ever love you like I could!”

I believed that. So, when she broke my hand, it was okay. It was my fault. Then, I found out I was pregnant.

After seven miserable months of pregnancy, I knew I needed to change my way of living before she arrived, but I had become co-dependent. My partner left nine days before I gave birth. I thank God for that. I truly do!

July 6, 2013, I had my daughter. Her name Lanna Mae (pronounced Lana).

She changed my whole world. She is one. But soon, she’ll be two. Every day, she’s learning and growing, so am I! The cliché,

They grow up too fast!

It’s true. Being a single parent, I’m her only example. My daughter watches every move I make and listens to every word I say.

She will read my work, one day. She will hear my message to the world and see the words I’ve spilled out. Lately, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about that. Do you know what keeps echoing in my mind over and over?

What if love was trending compassion went viral?

Every time we turn on the television violence is trending. I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen my own share of violence. I’m one of those women.

I’m a victim and a survivor. I’m broken. I’m weak and
I’m helpless. I’m just a girl!

We’ve believed that for too long and it’s cost us. Hell no! We are soldiers and warriors!

We Are Women.

We’re more than just girls. We are students and teachers, lawyers and politicians, police officers and doctors. We are writers and artists, entrepreneurs and business owners, nurses, directors and models!

We’re are cooks, cashiers, maids, storytellers, counselors and advocates! We are mothers.

Every day, we carry our feminist pride alongside our morning cup of coffee. Lately, it seems like we’ve forgotten our responsibilities to our children. As women, we need to do more than just fight for our rights and point out injustices that comes against our gender.

The purpose behind empowerment is to create strong women who make a difference in the world. We should be empowered my our belief that there’s purpose behind our pain.

Our stories are important, not because of our gender but in spite of it!

We are soldiers. Life is the war! In 2014, I became overwhelmed with the violence! I plead with my readers,

These are our children!

We Are Mothers

We speak for our sons and our daughters.

How can I educate and protect my children from a culture of violence
if don’t educate myself about the realities of the world and danger that’s in it?

Women need to ask themselves that. Men need to ask themselves that. Moms and dads need to ask themselves that!

Some call me pessimistic because my writing is not always fluffy. But the world is not a beautiful place. The fact we don’t care to admit that is sad and ignoring it is dangerous.

Life is not beautiful. Often, it’s broken and messy.

What makes it beautiful?

What makes it beautiful is that we can look at those ugly parts and the broken pieces and still choose to create beauty in the midst of them.

They say, “Pain changes people.” I believe that. My life is built on its very foundation.

But so does love!

Love changes people.

Some of the most horrendous acts of violence we see in this world come from the very mouths of people.

We the people!

There’s power in that. What if every woman knew her voice mattered? What if every woman felt empowered? What if we weren’t known for weakness, but for the way our love changed the world?

What if, this year, love topped the charts before February 14th and compassion went viral? Can you imagine? I can!

I am a woman.