Do You Want To Be Strong? You Can Be!

By Ettie Rutherford
Contributing Writer

I am sure you have heard the expression, “as strong as a lion”. I used to wonder why the elephant was never the animal that was portrayed as being strong, even though it is much bigger than the lion. Then I concluded that it is because the lion exudes a picture of swift, sure movements and not a slow, plodding gait.

To be strong you need to be like the lion…. be decisive, pursue what you want, and take bold action, in spite of the thorns in the forest.

Not as easy as it sounds; you will first have to:
Realize your worth and decide that you deserve the best that life has to offer;
Identify your strengths, gained through living in life’s forest;
Set meaningful priorities to prevent work over-load and stress;
Elect a knowledgeable support system;
Unleash the things, and people, that are holding you back; and
Plan to pursue your goals.

Also important is for you to realize that you can improve your lion-like abilities by assisting those who are hiding from the challenges of the forest.

Athletes gain strength by lifting weights; so again, I say: lift as you climb so as to ensure that you are supported by lions and not by kittens, waiting to be fed.

In unity ,there is strength.

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Wherever You Go, There You Are!

This week I want to get close-up and personal by asking you these questions: How many of you feel guilty to “put yourself first”? How many of you assign time for yourself on your “To-do” list? How many of you think that it is selfish and egotistical to take care of your personal desires, before serving others?

I am certain that there are many of you, who feel that there isn’t time for yourself because of the many demands on your time. However, in this fast-paced society, it is even more important for you to establish a satisfying life for yourself, so that you will be able to achieve your goals in a more disciplined manner, with less stress and an increased capacity to excel in your family, the work-place and your community.

You are the one who is always present for YOU, so to satisfy your desires you should:

• Regard self-satisfaction as a means of reducing stress, thereby improving your health;
• Change your mindset about fulfilling everyone’s needs. You can’t!;
• Set boundaries and insist that they be respected;
• Train those whom you need to assist you;
• Attain your happiness by focusing on physical, emotional, and spiritual growth;
• Forsake the notion that making money will satisfy your well-being;
• Realize that to serve family, friends and employers you must be satisfied with your life;
• Treat yourself as you would your best friend or a favourite family member.

In Sisterhood!

Award-winning Ettie Rutherford, B.Ed, Dip.Ed, M.Ed, is an educator, life coach, consultant and author of “Why Perch Like A Chick When You Can Soar Like An Eagle?”. An accomplished public speaker, Ettie is the Founder and CEO of Women Are Worthy, which provides step-by-step strategies for women to achieve their goals, with a minimum amount of stress. She can be reached at ettie@womenrworthy.com