Choose Yourself

So, it's Valentine's Day weekend.

While I'm a little ashamed to say, I still haven't figure out how to do romantic relationships quite right, and/or the I and my person are still being prepared for one another (or maybe both things), so I'm single again. As such, Valentine's Day was filled with friends, yoga and family - but no partner. I am well aware that it's just a commercially driven day to drive sales and the economy, but I believe this day hits strikes a nerve for most

But, the primary thought that kept coming to me this weekend was around being chosen.

Many women waste a lot of time while single waiting to be chosen. The international fairy tale,  industrial complex is based upon a man selecting a woman as his wife, them marrying, and living happily ever after. And while I have no issue with the marriage and happily ever after, it's the being chosen part which creates a few issues.

I recently watched the Netflix comedy Miss Governor. In a particular scene of note, one male governor stated to a fellow governor who happened to be unmarried, "Why should I choose you, no one else did."

OUCH! But what I personally realized is, that so many women walk around with shame because they feel this way, even if no one has directly said this to them. I recall my father saying to me when I accepted my former husband's engagement proposal, "GREAT, now people will stop thinking something is wrong with you." I said to myself, "oh, I didn't realize people thought of my marital status at all."

So, for all the people in the world, who are waiting to be chosen. Stop. Choose yourself. You get up every single day and make lemons out of lemonade. You're doing the very best that you can. Honor yourself. Love yourself as you are. And please, please, choose yourself.

In grace & gratitude,

Olivia F. Scott

Photo Credit: RDNE Stock Project