The Mask of Fear – International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day and the hashtag #OneDayIWill

I planned to write a blog on fear today, but the first thing to capture my attention was the header on the Google Home Page noting International Women’s Day. I know women in this country or more blessed than women in other parts of the world, but I couldn’t help but be struck by the tag they offered for sharing this important day: #OneDayIWill –  It bothered me instantly. It’s good to hope. It’s good to dream. In this country, our mindset, particularly as women, has been set too far in the distance. We’ve lived too much in the future and not enough in the present moment. Why?

I believe it’s because we struggle every minute of every day to face our fears. We live more in fear than we do in hope and faith. Fear locks us down, freezes us up, keeps the words stuck in our throat. It feels awful and so we get a lift when we plan, when we look to the future, when we dream that #onedayIwill. Today, on the other hand stymies us.

As a result we find ourselves trapped, stuck, immobile, only daring from time to time to dip our toe in the water of life. We dare not jump because what if? or, the words we’ve heard again and again from our families, our culture, our teachers – “now be reasonable dear”. Many women can’t find a reasonable bone in their bodies when they embrace who they are. Well, that’s an exaggeration, of course, but women are so much more than reason. They’re expressive, emotive, expansive, creative…oh, my Lord, they’re creative…they live in very wide circular motions that spread like ripples on a pond. They simply become afraid to drop the pebble in the pond.

So, no, I don’t think that #OneDayIWill is an appropriate tag today. I prefer… #IAm … or how about, #Iamwomanhearmeroar.

I’m flying out the door because if I don’t I will be late for an appointment.  I haven’t proofed this, or read through, or planned it in advance. I, quite simply dropped my pebble in the pond. I hope you will too!