posted on July 13, 2018
Hello, again my friends! Welcome back to The Resilient Woman series. If you need to be filled in click here.
If you are reading this then you’re certainly at the right place. Here you will find encouragement to press on no matter what the circumstance. This weeks guest possesses a unique artistic Flava. One that piques your curiosity.
Meet Lena Dee
Growing up in the Carribean, Lena comes from a small family. She has learned to face her challenges head-on and grow from them. Like many who experience life’s ups and downs, she has developed a resiliency that others will definitely relate to. Barely missing out on attending The University abroad might have opened a door to anxiety attacks and depression, but courage and a never stop pressing mindset encouraged her otherwise.
As a millennial, today she participates in life as we all do showing her might through word and her determination by accepting the challenges along the way to a Masters Degree. Read on as she shares her candid thoughts.
So Lenna…
TWH- What is your definition of a strong woman?
My idea of a strong woman is one that knows no bounds. She doesn’t take no for an answer and no matter what comes her way she does NOT give up. She possesses patience and endurance because no matter what comes her way, she doesn’t take a stumbling fall to mean she’s shattered and cannot rebuild herself. She finds strengths in her weaknesses and learns from experiences to grow.
TWH- A resilient woman possesses these qualities. Explain.
(I hope I answer this correctly from my understanding of the question)
I think there is no one set of qualities a strong woman possesses but several, each varying from woman to woman. Few qualities may overlap between women but in looking at a female’s strength holistically, I do not believe you can isolate qualities to say that any as a singularity defines strength. Strength is a collection of qualities that change from woman to woman. One woman’s form of strength may not be found in another. The key goal, however, is striving to succeed in life, regardless of what that means to you.
TWH- Could you name a few situations that highlight or showcase the resilient women in action?
One I would say is the situation of single mothers. To the world, this is one person but to her child/children, she is the world. The odds aren’t always in the favor of single moms and to many, systems of society try to exploit their state of being alone or a sole parent as a weakness. Many times over, these moms are faced with obstacles that test their strength and capability to provide and nurture another individual. There’s no book telling you what to do but many people like to interject and tell them they’re doing it wrong. I think any single mom that puts her child or children at the top of her hierarchy and has the determination to keep pushing through for her little family is not just a resilient woman but a superhero.
TWH- What barriers if any may a resilient woman encounter?
There are so many barriers resilient women face. From men telling them, they can’t perform their roles efficiently to other women judging them for their choices. Being resilient is not for the weak at heart. It doesn’t mean you will always come out on top for every battle but that you have the perseverance to keep fighting for an outcome that can lead you in the right direction to succeed. In life, there will ALWAYS be people and more “powerful” forces trying to deter you from your path to success. At the end of it all, it is your choice and willpower to generate a strong state of mind that will keep driving you forward. It is not easy, especially for those who may not have as much support as others, but where there is a will, there is a way.
TWH- Is society recognizing the resilient women today and if so how?
Is society trying? Yes! Can more be done? Most definitely!
I feel like to some extent society recognizes a resilient woman but there is most certainly more to be done. I mean, look at the way we’ve been taught to socialize and have a majority of social institutions not built in the favor of women isn’t helping. There is still a lot of gender bias. Many eras have passed women fighting their hearts out and dying for equality but we will never be equal to men, nor should we want to be. I think females NEED to see themselves more as the forces to be reckoned with that they really are. I think we’ve lost many battles wanting equality instead of fairness. Fairness in a society that is very in the middle about the topic of females and our resilience. Society wants change to occur for females but still isn’t fully inclined to let it happen or to provide the building blocks for the change. Right now, females have fought to the point where the conversation is changing. More of our voices are being heard, especially on social media platforms, more movements are being recognized and are more inclusive of women from different socio-economic backgrounds and religions. I think the varying concepts of what a society is, can still create a division for women. I believe unity is the key across borders but obviously, that’s easier said than done. There are still many places around the world that aren’t as mainstream as certain parts of the Western Hemisphere (i.e USA, Canada, UK etc.) where there is still a very strong patriarchy that opposes women. Where young girls are indoctrinated to feel powerless and like the inferior being. In those types of places, I think females who are brave enough to endure those constraints, build a certain resilience that isn’t recognized enough by societies. We are more powerful than we think and the day more of us can access this power mentally and internalize it, we will be unstoppable.
Lol sorry, it’s so lengthy!
TWH, not a problem at all. Your thoughts are most welcomed.
TWH- Who is your example of a strong woman? If more, its ok to share that too.
I don’t necessarily have one person in mind but several. I think women from all backgrounds who have the strength to get up daily and face this world and to continue to claw their way through whatever comes at them, are magnificently strong. Strength can’t be accredited to one or a few but to many. Many women who get knocked down ten times over continuously but get back up eleven. Not every woman has the strength to keep fighting, many lose the battle daily and eventually the war. They may not be deceased but they become mental slaves to their circumstances or the oppression they face. The day you become mentally enslaved to someone’s false perception of you can be your darkest day yet. Until you redeem the strength to someday claw your way to the light, those shackles will not break free. With that being said, my example of strong women are the women who provide for and raise their families, the everyday woman that keeps going after what she needs to succeed and survive, the women who have been abused and tortured but fight to survive, the women that speak up on the goodness of change, and most importantly ALL females who get up daily and try.
TWH- Do you feel there are limits to being a strong woman?
In life, everything has its form of kryptonite. Everything and everyone has a breaking point but it is whether you can recover from it or not. There exist certain weaknesses that can exhaust you but nothing lasts forever right? Exactly! There comes a moment where you find your strength in that weakness that can give you the sight you need to change courses and move forward. A strong woman may encounter several breaking points in her life that eventually builds her tolerance and propels her in her journey. Some obstacles force us to see things we don’t always want to accept but eventually learn to in order to grow as a person. Sometimes you have to lose a few battles before you can win the war. A strong woman is unstoppable but does not possess perpetual invincibility.
TWH- If you could help guide someone to being a strong woman how would you help them?
I’d help them by sharing my experiences, I believe you should always want to be a student in the way of life but that doesn’t mean you can’t pass on the knowledge you’ve gathered. Every individual can go through different struggles but be observant and willing to learn from others can definitely help in most aspects. Your stories may differ but there should always be one vital commonality, never giving up. My best form of guidance is the advice to learn to love and believe in yourself. Self-love is not selfishness and it is more important than we think. Understanding that no one can give you strength but yourself and unlocking that power is the biggest form of personal development that will help you persevere.
Wow! Thanks, Lena for sharing your thoughts. I can see that you are definitely on a mission. Appreciate your input as always.
Thank you so much for this interview Al and having a chance to voice my opinion on such a subject matter.
Well friends, Can you feel it? Can you feel the passion within to motivate? I did! If you desire to share her passion below is where you can connect. She has a unique presence on social media in which one must definitely connect with and have in life’s tool bag of empowerment and courage.
PR email: info@lenadeexo.com
Instagram @_lenadee
Pinterest @lena_dee
Thanks so much for the read friend! My hope is that you have been educated and encouraged to go on. Stay tuned for next weeks guest.
Great interview. I love the quote about being resilient means having to strength to keep fighting.
Thanks Kris! Lena is a doll and definitely an example of one who has courage and bounce-back.
Ahhhh Thank you again for such an awesome interview Al! It was very thought provoking and a wonderful experience to air my view of women and their resilience! 😀
xx Lena | https://lenadeexo.com
Lena! Thank you for being so kind and open to be apart. It has been a joy to work with you! Always so full of energy and creativity! My hope is that someone is motivated to go on and educated on the topic. Much Love!🙂👍🏾
Great post. I learnt a lot. Women are definitely resilient. We need to stay motivated, focused and never give up. Thanks
That is great! Thank you for the read and I am so glad you received something out of it. Much love to you. 😀👍🏾
Great post, as a fellow woman also I find this really inspiring! Keep it up 🙂
Thanks so much for the kind words and feedback Alex. I most certainly will. Thank you again.