LIFE HAPPENED LAVENDER SHEDRICK WILLIAMS
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or 20 years, I poured my soul into my family – it was my life. I loved being a wife and mother until…life happened. After much prayer, more prayer and waiting for answered prayers, I chose to walk away from my twenty-year marriage. I like to say I was "released" from the union. Call it what you wish – I walked. Yes, I tried to salvage the withering vows. For many years, I prayed for change, yet the more I prayed, the more I felt my continual forgiveness was condoning unacceptable behavior. For better or for worse. Til death do us part. Divorce wasn't an option. Unfortunately, I felt alone in my fight and was robotically going through the motions of being a wife - inside and outside of the bedroom. Why? Because staying married was the right thing to do. The “right” thing had consequences on my health, well-being, and peace of mind. My worth as a woman (and a human being) was being challenged. I had joy, but I wasn't happy. I finally found the courage to think about myself instead of the 20 years we built together. I had to love myself more than I enjoyed the idea of family life. I had to love myself more than the many couples we ministered to through our church's Couples Ministry. I had to love myself more than the possible impact divorce would have on our sons. I had to love myself more than what anyone would say or think. I had to
“When love is no longer served, it’s time to get up from the table.” NINA SIMONE
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love myself more than what religion taught me. Yes, forgiveness is necessary but the God I serve told me to forgive and get the hell out. It was then when I met The Other Woman – the other woman in me. Now in my Golden Years, I'm evolving and awakening to The Other Woman who was dormant for many years – resting within me and waiting to live. I'm not suggesting you leave your husband or significant other. I'm attempting to pour a little courage into your spirit. I want you to acknowledge your other woman before your life is over. Have you ever felt a stirring to do something other than the norm? To take a risk? To embrace the change you’ve been avoiding? That’s the other woman nudging you! The other woman is the life which has been placed on hold, suppressed in a world of submission due to child rearing, society, religion, family, roles, titles, responsibilities, and what “they” said. The other woman doesn't confuse her homegrown values or religious upbringing with her heartfelt emotions. She doesn’t allow the standards of society to influence her choices. She makes up her own mind – she thinks for herself. She lives with no regrets. She is brave. She is free to simply…be. Rebellion? I call it not giving a damn what other people think about what I do on my one-way journey called LIFE. I am the other woman. You are the other woman! There is a life force within waiting to be set free. The other woman rests in us and now is the time to be aware of her presence and acknowledge her. Now is the time to stop ignoring her nudges, set The Other Woman free and begin to live as you've never lived before! TH E O T H E R
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