Let Me Tell You Of My Womanhood

A special bonus essay for International Women’s Day.

I revisited a piece I wrote exactly 5 years ago. A quick note, inspired by the day. It’s called “Let Me Tell You of My Womanhood” and while so much of it remains true - the version of me that touches that prompt today, oh, she’s bigger and bolder than I could have predicted 5 years ago.

You can listen to today’s essay above too.

Let me tell you of my womanhood.

I was raised to believe that women are sources of life-giving energy. I am.
I was raised to believe that I have power. I do.

Let me tell you of my womanhood.

I was raised to believe my body is mine. She is.
I was raised to believe that I can move mountains through faith alone. I have.

Let me tell you of my womanhood.
Let me tell you of my womanhood.
Let me tell you of my womanhood.

Let me tell you of inhabiting this world with a soft body, wide hips, full thighs, and broad shoulders.

Let me tell of finding silver strands, smile lines, and even deeper knowing of my own beauty.

Let me tell you of my womanhood.
Let me tell you of my womanhood.

Let me tell you what it's like to know that I can heal hearts with compassionate words, gentle touch, and potent truth.

Let me tell you of my womanhood.

I was raised to believe My Creator hears me, loves me, listens to me and collaborates with me. Look at all we’ve made manifest.

Let me tell you of my womanhood.

Let me tell you what it’s like to know I can breathe fire, and have the restraint to rebuild someone instead.

Let me tell you of my womanhood.

Let me tell you how it is to feel anger inside and to finally, wholeheartedly, burn it all down.

Let me tell you of my womanhood.

Let me tell you of the deep and visceral connection I have with my own knowing. The trust of my intuition, and the light of the flame inside me that shows me

this. is. the. way.

Let me tell you of my ability to hold trust when the world around me falls. Because I must. Because we must.

Let me tell you of how I feel My Mother’s strength whenever I take a risk. Her steady hand on my back, “You know you can do this. Don’t stop now.”

Her gentle palm beneath my chin reminding me “You do not have to do it all.”

Let me tell you of my womanhood.

I was raised to believe I am woman, and I am Holy. I am Wild. I am Beautiful and I am Whole.
Let me tell you what it’s like to be treasured. Revered. Envied. Hated. Pursued. Rejected. Trusted. Demonized. Burned and Reborn.

Let me tell you of my womanhood.
Let me tell you of my womanhood.

Let me hear of your womanhood.

Tell me. Tell me. Tell me of your womanhood.