GIVE AWAY OUR POWER -contributed by Irileria Muhammad EMT Teacher in Abu Dhabi, Al Garbia

I am always amazed at how easily we give away our power as women. Granted, I have been there. God gave us the same brain, the same heart, the same voice, the same lungs, but we are so quick to subjugate ourselves to a man. I am not by any means saying the two are the same, but they are, INDEED, equal. The backseat, behind, under, outside of, the man is not where I will be. But I will still firmly and proudly by your side. We have incorporated chauvinism into religion, and then we repeat it. No wonder so many God-fearing women have self-esteem issues. We keep hearing philosophies that say you are the reason for man's downfall (Eve), you are why he is weak (Delilah), you bring out lustful desires (Jezebel). So in essence, what I get from that is that man is such a weak being and women must play up to his weaknesses and hide our essence as opposed to him stepping up and just being a man, and fighting himself. He must be protected and coddled, even at the expense of women. Well, if God tells you not to do something and a WOMAN says do it, and you follow the woman, be very clear, that YOU ARE THE PROBLEM, NOT the woman. And 2,000 years of backwards teaching does not change that.

Unfortunately, it is the undercurrent in MOST religions, religions sect, churches, etc.... And though I am in a country that has some very interesting male/female dynamics... I actually see WAAAAY more of this at home from a group that my friend Ebony so lovingly calls the "handmaiden club", and unfortunately too many women are in this group (knowingly or unknowingly).

Sometimes I am so glad that God lives in me.  I swear people often times push your buttons simply because things in their lives aren't going according to what they planned.  When they see someone running on the right track they automatically want to derail you just to make themselves feel better.  Unfortunately, there is no derailing this train.  I know what I signed up for and what I have been called to do.  I didn't have any preconceived notions about this experience so I am not going through the motions like some of the other people are out here.  I also know that sometimes you are placed in a position not because of prior experiences but because that is where God wants you to be to do the work He needs done.  It's your job to work with what He has given you and make the most of it.  Don't complain, throw temper tantrums, cry, bite people's heads off that are trying to help you, and act like you're ungrateful for this experience.  Embrace it.  You wouldn't be where you are if He didn't want you there.  Don't worry about what you are used to and what is comfortable and familiar to you.  We all have to make adjustments in life.  It's part of the growth process.  So put on your big girl draws and grow the heck up and stop acting like this gift isn't a blessing.  And if you can't do that, then you don't need to be here.  Hop your butt on the next flight out!! Stop trying to ruin everyone else's experience just cuz your are miserable!!!!