I came
across this picture via BBM and it hit me hard because I have been on the
receiving end a couple of times and I know how much it hurts when you have put
in your best possible to make a success out of something and some myopic old fuddy-duddy
sits, ogles you and condescendingly sneers at your success while labelling it
as none of your efforts but as a result of sexual “favours”.
You wonder
why believing such is the first option that readily comes to mind, of the success
of women, in this ‘modern age’ and it just drains you. While, of a truth, some
people (both male and female, mind you) have risen up ladders of success on the
backs of sexual favours, this does not apply to everyone and to tar genuinely
successful women with the same brush is very hurtful. I can’t even say women
have become smarter in recent times, because the truth is women have always
been smarter and wise but were constrained and restrained by cultures, beliefs and
what have you.
Like a
friend said to me, it is hard for people to get over the old belief that men are
meant to be breadwinners while women sit pretty and support them doing little
else for themselves. “They don’t realise
that times have changed and women can also be very successful” You can’t blame
them. While I get where she was coming from, I said to her that I blame
them alright. Yes, if times have changed so much why haven’t they gotten with
the programme and adjusted their mentalities and thought process to align with
the changes in times and trends? Could it be that they haven’t because it is
simply easier to fault and blame others rather than change one’s mind-set?
One thing I
know and would advise any woman courageous enough, not only to aim for success,
but to attain is that DO YOU. Remain focused no matter the side comments and
insinuations and revel in the euphoria of your achievements. Don’t shay away
from the results of your efforts and success of them.
Live your life, be happy
and keep shining.
