As a woman, it is one thing to hear advice and receive wisdom from another woman. However, when wisdom is shared from the depths of a man about the things that many women go through it is powerful beyond measure.

Here is the story of the many lives of women who have told and have yet to tell their experience of a vicious cycle that is paralyzing all over the world and seems unending.

Written by Shi’Meek Branch

She needs help but doesn't know how to get it.... She craves attention from men who want her but don't want her... She gives away her personals to any man that calls for it.... She performs many carnal acts only to silence the screams from her past... Her name is mentioned among the men but only to pass her on to the next man.... All whom she looked up to and loved, renounced her, So now she relinquishes her soul and womb to these men that cradles her for their own sick fantasies.... They don't love OR like" HER"...How she performs is their concern... They use her, and she uses them to silence her past... Her womb yells for help but she ignores its screams, because mentally she's being caressed with the silencing of her past...... Her soul aches, her mind is numb, her spirit is broken, her flesh cries and bleeds along with her womb... Yet she continues on… So long as the noise of her past is silenced. She's lost and needs help... She heard of God but she calls or seeks him NOT... She cries over and over but no one hears her. She's alone again but just for a short time Because the next man is on his way to enter her womb and then it all starts over… The silencing of her past...

Be Encouraged.



For more of Shi’Meek’s Words of Wisdom

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This Holiday Season, I'm Thankful for MY World

As women, often times we endure undue pressure to be better; the pressure is placed on us by ourselves, family, significant others and the media. So what is the issue? There is nothing wrong with self-improvement until you begin to compare yourself to others. When we make comparisons, we set ourselves up for failure. Why? Because as long as a woman compares herself, she will never see herself as being “good enough”; as a result she is usually held back and never reaches her full potential.

It’s about the value that you place on your life. Do you value yourself? Do you value your gifts and talent? Do you value your family? If your answer is yes then the follow-up question is: How much value?

Adventures of Home School: Let's Make A Deal!

Adventures of Home School: Let's Make A Deal!: As I mentioned before, my children were not at all too excited about being home-schooled. Although no other option was left to them, I promi...

WHERE ARE YOU?

The caption in this picture reads: The man who has no inner life is the slave to his surroundings.

I don’t know about anybody else but I’m surrounded by people who take pleasure in helping others. Sounds like a great circle of people in my life? Sure it is, I try my best to choose my circle of influence wisely. However, I have to wonder how many people in my circle actually take the time to love themselves. Do they take the time to take care of themselves and cater to themselves?

PROMISE KEEPER

Most blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. Jeremiah 17:7 Amplified

God wants us to depend totally upon Him, not our boyfriends, husbands, mother, sister, brother or anyone else. And when we Honor God by trusting in Him, He will come through no matter what it looks like.

Here is a very inspiring testimony about a Woman whose trust in God was put to the test as she faced hardship.

PROMISE KEEPER

It was a week before pay day and I had no food in the house and no money to buy any because my ex-husband had not paid his child support that week.  I didn’t know how I was going to feed my children that week. I didn’t want to borrow it and remember sitting at my kitchen table crying out to God, “You said you would always take care of me and my family. I have no money, I don’t get paid for another week what am I gonna do?” The next day at work I got a phone call from a bank that I no longer banked with. I had missed the call and called back on my break and when I called the lady told me that I had a check for $750 that had tried to post to my account but couldn’t because it was closed. She said when she seen it she thought to herself that somebody probably needs this money and instead of sending it back like she should have,  she opened another account and posted it there and all I had to do was come sign some paperwork and pick it up.  All I could do was shout and cry all my coworkers were looking at me like what is going on? All I could say was God is good! I want to say to you that even in your darkest hour he’s there and he hears your cry. Just like he promised me when I was pregnant at 18 with my first child that He would always take care of me and my family, that promise stands true for you too.  I can say today 12 years and four children later that He still has never broken his promise.

If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. John 15:17 Amplified

UNTIL NEXT TIME…..BE ENCOURAGED WOMAN

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Inner Beauty, What Is It?

I believe that as women, when we learn to focus on our inner beauty we are able to enjoy life as it should be. During the next post, I really want to look at the meaning of inner beauty and what can WE as women can do to refocus on what matters most! 

Leila Lopes of Angola is crowned Miss Universe

By BRADLEY BROOKS - Associated Press | AP – 2 hours 10 minutes ago

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SAO PAULO (AP) — Newly crowned Miss Universe Leila Lopes wants to help her native Angola further escape a history of war and impoverishment and said she plans to focus on combating HIV around the globe.

Speaking in a timid voice early Tuesday shortly after taking the crown in South America's largest city, the 25-year-old Lopes said that "as Miss Angola I've already done a lot to help my people."

"I've worked with various social causes. I work with poor kids, I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs," she said. "I think now as Miss Universe I will be able to do much more."

Responding to questions, Lopes said that she has never had cosmetic surgery of any kind and that her three tips for beauty were to get a lot of sleep, use sunblock even when it's not sunny and to drink lots of water. She said her smile was her best weapon in the competition.

Asked about racism in light of the fact that she's one of the few blacks ever crowned Miss Universe, Lopes said that "any racist needs to seek help."

"It's not normal in the 21st century to think in that way."

Lopes is Angola's first winner. She beat out 88 other competitors to win the title during the 60th anniversary of the world's biggest beauty pageant. She replaces last year's winner, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.

She deftly handled the interview question that is asked of the remaining top five contestants. She was questioned about what physical trait she would change if she could.

"Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing," Lopes said. "I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life."

"Are You Broken?"

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1Peter 5:10

After going through many trials and tribulations, we are often approached with negativity that causes us to feel hopeless! However, I want to encourage you to allow God to rebuild you! I've been there and when it seemed as if all hope was lost, God reached down and began to put the pieces back together! Yes, it is that simple! God is not complicated. Just ask, believe, receive and He'll do the rest! If you've turned your back on Him, He's waiting for your return so that He can restore you to BRAND NEW! BE BLESSED WOMAN!

"Lose The Unnecessary Weight"

Although I have lost 8lbs over the past 8 weeks, I’ve also lost other much needed weight. Another name for this type of weight is, ‘baggage’. Baggage can be in the form of bad advice that you’ve held onto, bad relationships, and (or) bad habits. The pounds that I’m shedding come in all three forms mentioned and I’m so excited!

Thought Control Part 2

If you haven't read the story within the post titled "Thought Control", please read it before reading "Thought Control Part 2" Just scroll down on this page and near the bottom you will see the post titled "Thought Control".


Astonished, Mary became speechless as she stared in Mark's eyes with disbelief. She thought to herself, "Me? Why Me? Couldn't he choose someone else? I haven't anything to offer him."As Mary snapped out of it, she softly said, "I can't, I don't want to explain but I just can't!" Swiftly Mary left the table and headed to the back of the coffee shop. As she sat down she began to contemplate what she would say to Mark when she saw him again.


Week after week, Mary did everything she could to avoid Mark. He had left her several notes about just wanting to talk to her. He wanted to express that he never meant to upset her. But it was no use, Mary refused to speak to Mark. The weeks of silence turned into months and the months into a year. Mark only wanted Mary to be happy so he dared not push her or make her feel uncomfortable by continuing to leave her notes at work. As time went by they both went on with their lives but one could only wonder what could have happen if Mary had filtered her thoughts about herself. 


It's not about what you have or don't have. The clothes you wear, your style, your hair, your financial status or your background is irrelevant when it comes to defining you.It's important to have good thoughts about who you are. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he"  Proverbs 23:7 Your thoughts control your future! Just look around at your current situation. Whatever you see before you started with a simple thought! Think about it.


Mary didn't think that she was worthy of Mark so she drove him away. She also pushed away what could have been the answer to her prayers. Maybe for you it wasn't a guy but a job or opportunity you wanted but didn't pursue because you didn't think that you were worthy of it!


Don't let your thoughts rule your life, rule your thoughts!

No Looking Back!!!!

Countless times I have looked back over my life in regret wishing that I could rewind time and change a few things or eliminate things (and people) altogether. However, I truly believe that there are things and situations that if it doesn't kill you will make you stronger. I also learned that if I continued to focus on my past, I would forfeit my future. So I......... Let Go and I encourage you to do the same!


Let Go of Past Hurts!
Let Go of Past Disappointments!
Let Go of Past Failures!
Let Go of Past Mistakes!


LET GO! LET GO! LET GO!

You're Beautiful, It's True!

The Company You Keep

                                                                           

Companies around the world take inventory of their products, especially grocery chains and clothing stores. These companies must analyze the growth and losses in order to remain profitable. As a result, reports are created that shows which products are profitable and which ones are not. If there are products that aren’t doing well, the company make assess what can be done to improve profit.

Like companies, we must constantly take inventory of the people whom we allow in our inner circle. But before we take inventory, we must be willing to be truthful with ourselves and not make excuses for holding on to people we need to let go.

~Thought Control~

What you think about yourself matters. Why? Because your thoughts affect your emotions which in turn causes you to act according to how you feel.

For example, if someone thinks that they are not worthy then their emotion will reflect low self-esteem. As a result, his or her performance will always mirror less than their best. Subconsciously, this person will behave in a way that will give them results that confirm what they think about themselves.

Check out this story:

Dare to Dream......Again

 South Carolina’s Motto: While I breathe, I hope

As long as you have life in your body, you have hope and as long as you have hope, there is potential for the manifestation of your dreams.

                                 

One of my previous dreams came to me around the age of 26. I was working at an electric company part-time. My dream was to retire before 30 so that I can be a stay-at-home mom. [Before sharing the rest of my testimony, I would like to caution you about whom you share your dreams with] However, I did not take this advice and I told my co-workers and of course they laughed and behaved in many discouraging ways. In addition to unbelieving co-workers there were many things that took place to discourage me but I held onto my dream.

Although my dream didn’t come to past right away-I held three other jobs after that job at the electric company- my dream did come true. Before the age of 30, I retired. I am currently a stay-at-home mom with five children!I give God all the glory for my dream coming to past because I could not have done it without Him.

No matter what your situation looks like, I encourage you to dream again and (or) hold onto your dreams. There is evidence all around you that someone didn’t give up on their dreams no matter what obstacles came their way. Obstacles will come but use those obstacles as opportunities to push forward and pursue your dream even more.

What is your dream????

Image: Kenneth Cratty / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: Louisa Stokes / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Who is Jaycee Lee Dugard?

Jaycee Dugard, mostly known as a woman who was once kidnapped as a little girl and held captive for many grueling years. While not making light of any part of what Jaycee endured, it is her current mindset and the place that she is in now that captured me the most.

According to her interview with Diane Sawyer, Jaycee explained how she has overcome the evil that was done to her. She not only refused to allow the man that stole her childhood to take anymore of her life by refusing to be angry towards him but she made the decision to live and not die.

A Beautiful Flower

I love this blog because as a wife and mother of five, I can take a moment to refuel and reconnect while encouraging others to do the same. But no matter what “hat” I’m wearing, I’M A WOMAN! YOU ARE A WOMAN! We are part of God’s plan in which seedtime and harvest time never ceases! What a beautiful tool (you and I) that is used to carry out this awesome plan!!!!

How? As women our temples are used for planting and harvesting life, we nurture, we’re survivors and although delicate we’re strong enough to carry many “loads”. (The list goes on)…….

Throughout our lives, we women experience unwelcomed, undeserved and undeserved situations. However, deep down within us lies the ability to overcome. There is a seed planted within us that is only watered by love, inspiration, hope and most importantly the knowledge of who YOU are. That is why I am asking that you to create a list that describes who you are; a list that defined by you. No matter how many times you’ve failed in life, on your list you should write “winner”. So get your list together and if you're bold, post your list by clicking on comment at the the bottom of this post for a chance to win.

There will be two women who will win gifts in honor of women all over the world! Just click "comment" at the bottom of the post and reveal who YOU are!

~Video of the Week~

Over the years, I would hear people say, “believe in you”. And I tried to believe in me but that didn’t work for me. It seemed to have worked for others, just not me. There was something else I needed, something more than just “me”. I needed a higher purpose because I could not see past my faults and imperfections. I longed to know why I was put on this earth; why I was born.

Shortly after (meaning years later), a revelation penetrated my mind beyond my natural ability to reason. Jeremiah 29:11 states: “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. WOW!!!!! And now everyday, that purpose-like a puzzle- comes together.

This revelation helped me to believe again, it gave me hope. And I say to ALL OF YOU, know that no matter what you’ve been through or what anyone has negatively spoken over your life, YOU have a PURPOSE and a DESTINY!

BE ENCOURAGED WOMAN!

~WOW~

Words of Wisdom on Wednesdays!

"The man who has no inner life is the slave of his surroundings" ~Henry F. Amiel

We are spirits that live in a home called body. The most important question regarding this fact is: What are you feeding your spirit? Or, how are you nurturing your inner life? How often do you read something that is uplifting that will build you up? How often do you encourage yourself? (Please don't wait on others)

On the other hand do you starve the life within you? Do you hang around negative people? Do you hate yourself because of something you did? Do you harbor bitterness or refuse to forgive and let go? Do you focus on what you don't have rather than express gratitude for what you do have? Do you worry about the things that you can't change instead of changing what you can?

Spend time building yourself up so that in the midst of chaos, you may find peace within.

Coming Soon! The Big Reveal

                                           
                                                 

                                                    

Okay, so for those of you, who haven’t made a list yet, make one! If you are new to this site and are clueless to what list I’m referring to then please read the  post titled “Who Am I”.

In a few days we will reveal who we are and not how others see us or try to define us but who we     are! I will also post the lists of other women (including myself) from all walks of life! Currently we have readers from Brazil, Canada, the United States and Germany! So I encourage you to become a follower of the blog, comment on the posts, post your lists and continue to join me in celebrating womanhood!!!

The list that you create can be long or short. It should also include things that you cannot change. For example, I have delivered four children and -unlike many fortunate women- I have stretch marks. While I’m not complaining, I certainly would rather have them removed. (It’s just my preference) And when the “stretch mark” fairy comes to collect, she can summon the “love- handle” fairy to pay a visit as well. J

These are just some things that I have learned to accept about my physical self. How did I learn to accept it? Well first let me clear something up. I am working on the love- handles and whatever doesn’t go away I won’t mind. But the stretch marks, I now see as “gift” marks because my children are gifts! I refuse surgical removal or the hassle of trying to add anything else (like rubbing cream on my belly to lighten or remove the marks) to my to-do-list.

Although my “bonus child” whom I love dearly, did not come from me and give me stretch marks, I can probably find a few gray hairs on my head; but it’s nothing that hair coloring won’t fix!

Until Next Time…..Know You, Accept You, Love You and Celebrate Women who are just like YOU!

There will be two women who will win gifts in honor of women all over the world! Just click "comment" at the bottom of the post and reveal who YOU are!

Video of the Week

Who Am I

 Who Am I?

Growing up and even now I see more and more how society and even women themselves define women based on their status. I’ve been guilty of that too until I met a great woman who didn’t make much money, have a  big house or have what most people consider the “ideal” life. However, this beautiful being is one to be admired. Why? Because she is aware of whom she is. Once you know who YOU are, you’ll understand that no one or no thing can define you.

WELCOME!

Thanks for visiting WYC! I am so excited about this blog and the opportunity to share with the world my dreams, short comings, goals and just everyday life experiences! However, the motivation behind this blog is to reach out to women all around the world from all walks of life about how to wear our crown.

WYC is a place where women can come together and celebrate "womanhood". “As iron sharpens iron, so one man (or woman) sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 And because women go through so much, it is up to us to learn how to celebrate each other and build each other up.

So sit down, grab a snack and enjoy. I welcome you to talk with me, joke with me, laugh with me, encourage others with me and celebrate women!!!!!!