Jordan Gray is grateful for every single tear that has ever been kissed away… or left to dry on someone’s face in the presence of a strong woman.
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Here’s to the emotionally strong women…
The women that have done their work.
The women that know the value of self-love and self-care.
The women that hold themselves, and others, to higher standards.
The women that have felt grief, and received the grief of their loved ones.
The women who turn towards their partners instead of away from them.
The women that have held on to every ounce of their life’s passion, regardless of how popular or unpopular it is to maintain.
The women that see through their partners suffering, and see the soul behind the pain.
The women that are a shoulder to cry on, and accept shoulders to cry on.
I honour the abundance of shame and hurt that has been healed in the loving embrace of strong women. The trauma, the abuse, and the sorrow that has been compassionately held by strong women.
I am grateful for every single tear that has ever been kissed away… or left to dry on someone’s face in the presence of a strong woman.
And if you are a strong woman reading this…
Whether you became that way through retreats, sisterhood circles, talk-based therapy, self-help books, long nights with lots of tears, or any other number of hard-won strategies… I thank you from the bottom of my heart for having walked the path that you have. Because if you have done your work, the world around you has undoubtedly felt it. Your friends, family, city, culture, and society have all benefited from the way that you carry yourself. You are what’s right with the world.
The ripples of your self-reflection and intentionality are felt further than you can imagine.
So thank you…
For loving out loud.
For having the courage to go first.
For not holding back.
For feeling to the depths of your being.
Thank you…
For being you.
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This post originally appeared at JordanGrayConsulting.com and is republished on Medium.
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Photo credit: iStockphoto
What about emotionally strong men? Why no praise for them?
Bravo, Jordan! You should see the amazing woman I married! I fell in love with her over sixty years ago in high school. Too shy to say hello to her then, I found her decades later on Facebook. We celebrated our 14 month anniversary two days ago. She faced tremendous challenges to become, through personal courage and determination, the strongest, most loving person you could imagine: a “wise woman” in Estes’ (Women Who Run With The Wolves) sense. What a joy it is to live with such a soul mate!
Jordon, thank you for this piece!
Richard, I loved reading about your wife. Women aren’t often praised for the knowledge they gain through the years in our youth obsessed culture. I am also elated with your “Woman Who Run With The Wolves” reference, a book both more women and men should read!
Thank you both for your kind words. Richard, I’m so happy to hear that you found someone you’re so head over heels in love with. It’s beautiful!
Thank you soooo much for this article and spreading your appreciation for amazing women. I would like to think that I am one of these women you are writing about here. I have worked my ass off to be strong and loving and compassionate and independent and emotionally strong. hardly any man ever even recognizes it. you do… who are you where did you come from? lol thank you again.
I’m so glad my words resonated with you Stacy. And thank you for doing your work.
As for me, I’m an emotionally evolving young man from Canada, raised by two loving and compassionate parents. I had a very blessed childhood and I have done my best to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before me. I’m doing my work, just like everyone else. 🙂