A Second Best Nature

A woman’s story has been at times been far from beautiful, our history; a misty reflection of our favourite childhood fairytales. 

The ‘assaults’ upon our identities and hearts have been long enduring battles that still exist today. We have been preyed upon since the beginning of creation, since the snake made its suggestion to Eve in the garden (Genesis 3). But is this fair?

Life has been very colourful for us ever since. We have been involved in wars for woman’s rights and liberations. The right to be seen, heard and treated as an equal in the world we co-share with men.

In a society mostly dominated by men, situations have left some of us oppressed, shut down or shunned. We can maybe look within and still see the scars that have been bared or carved upon us from these wars today. From the youngest to the oldest in age, even those who pioneered before us. This ‘assault’ has led us to believe that we have a ‘second best nature’. Believing into the lies that women’s worth is somehow less important, deserving a back seat.

But I dare to bicker…

Not all men have taken part in this war, so please do not misunderstand what I am saying, neither am I encouraging you to join a feminist group, hate men or become rebellious and un-submitting to men within context, despite some contributing to this stereotypical view, but I am saying that you should find truth in your own worth.

Worth is value, something seen as being useful or having importance. What we think of ourselves produces what we are to people. People tell us everyday what they think of us whether it is in spoken or unspoken tongues. Their gestures and actions carry the weight of their impressions and perceptions of us. We tend to believe what they pour out but do we ever challenge what is presented to us?

How many of us can actually put up our hands and say we are entirely happy with ourselves? That we are completely comfortable with our identity? That the skin we are in is completely our own? Think about it. We turn to our relationships, cultures, social values, religions, media and lifestyles to sometimes find ourselves. Just like a flower, it takes time for us to blossom. We do not just acquire an identity in one day; life in its fullness impacts us.

Truth is conformity with fact or reality. The reality we need to accustom ourselves with is that we are highly valuable and worthy as women, individually and together. We do not need another’s opinion to validate our identity. Who we are is based upon what we believe.

Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Everyone has an opinion of us but the issue rises when this opinion is not true but begins to become alive on the inside of us. Just because gender differences and individual opinions still exist today, it does not mean we are to be defined by them.

Daily we must make decisions, internally and externally, to go against what society and its history has taught about the nature and character of women. We see women everyday making a difference; we too must do this for ourselves. Coming out of conformity and stepping into a solid sense of self-value.

We must fight against the second best nature that is presented to us. This nature compels us to hide in the shadows. Without challenging this nature, we are nothing but a counterfeit of our true selves. As women we should not go against each other but empower, build and speak life to one another.

Take time out to look under your own skin. See if a second best nature has found its way into your system; hearts, minds and emotions. We do not need to start a revolt but we are to take responsibility for finding and believing our own value in life. When we find it, we are to walk in its truth in our lives.

“Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.”

― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

By: Stacey Spencer (BFM Writer)

Image sources:

Image 1: Rope broken by hands: http://www.hdwallpapers-3d.com/women-empowerment-quotes/

Image 2: Red slogan ‘Never Settle For Second Best’: http://genius.com/2162391