IF MY MOM WAS STRICTER

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This year, I started making big decisions about how I want to show up for myself career-wise, the type of community I want to build on social media, and how God can use me. Regarding that last part, I realize now that it wouldn't have even been a thought had my mom been stricter or tried to play the role of a father as a single parent. What finally led me to seek God was my willingness to read. I read Genesis and thought about how wild the stories were, and then I'd relay them to my family. I continued reading while taking notes on God's role in every story. God's role in my own story was what I was missing all along: a father. After reading the Bible back-to-back, I kept returning to it. This time, my focus was on Jesus, and I started to perceive Him as a brother. In my mind, fathers are strict, but brothers can talk them down or help them see reason. It will all make sense when you read the Bible—I promise. My sweet mom, I now realize, is perfect just as God intended ...

A Little Paranoid, A little Daring


Self-awareness goes far beyond knowing what you're good or bad at. It is also knowing more than just your weaknesses and strengths. It is about trusting your instincts and knowing when to act and take risks. 
The reason why I think taking control of your safety as a woman goes hand in hand with self-awareness is that you may be required to be a little paranoid but also daring. 

For instance, I once went to a party with friends, but I felt like the night was heading toward a dangerous encounter. My gut told me to distance myself; even though I had had enough to drink, I was on high alert. Even though I had to wait for our designated driver to be ready to leave, I just couldn't stay, so I went home on foot alone. I was paranoid enough to listen to my gut but daring enough to get home at dawn.

I arrived home safely, but it turns out nothing bad had happened. What if I had stayed and my being there would have been a catalyst for a catastrophic night? Could it be that the energy shifted because I was there? I didn't stay long enough to find out. And I have no regrets.

I wish I could sit down with women, young and old, to talk about this side of safety and self-awareness. Even when we take all the standard precautions, there are times when we have to act on a whim and simply say, "I have to go."

If someone says, "It’s late, stay a little longer," you have every right to answer, "This cannot wait." When you really want to go.

A true friend will understand and help you get home safely. Looking back, I could have asked my friends to leave with me, but it felt like everyone had their own agenda for how the night should end. I chose to end my night safely in the comfort of my own home.

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