The depth of a woman’s wisdom is sometimes underestimated; but as more women continue to impact everyone within their circle of influences, they are fast becoming almost indispensable.
Someone shared a beautiful story with me some weeks ago about an unknown author’s discovery of the most important human body part. Permit me to share the story with you.
“My mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is. Through the years I made guesses at what I thought were the correct answers.
When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said, "My ears, Mommy." She said, "No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."
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Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer. So this time I told her, "Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes."
She looked at me and told me, "You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind."
Stumped again, I continued my quest for knowledge and over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, "No. But you are getting smarter every year, my child."
Then my father died. Everyone cried as he was being laid to rest. My Mom looked at me when it was our turn to say our final good-bye to my father.
She asked me, "Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?"
I was shocked when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game between her and me. She saw the confusion on my face and told me,
"This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived in your life.
For every body part you gave me in the past, I have told you were wrong and I have given you an example why.
But today is the day you need to learn this important lesson."
She looked down at me and threw her head to my shoulder and hugged me.
I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, "My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder."
I asked, "Is it because it holds up my head?"
She replied, "No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or a loved one
when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometimes
in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it."
Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a selfish one. It is made for others and not for yourself. It is sympathetic to the pain of others.”
This realization from the story couldn't have been more aptly summarized in Maya Angelou's quote: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will NEVER forget how you made them feel."
As we celebrate International Women's Day today, take a moment to appreciate all the women who have made sacrifices for you. Don’t forget to extend that same love to the less fortunate around you!
Better the balance, Better the world with Latifah Butterfly Sleeves Top #IWD #BalanceforBetter
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change.” It focuses on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.
Have a fabulous weekend!