My heart, my heart
a precious thing,
my God, a fragile piece of me
you've placed beneath
a breast plate
of bone, while bones will break
to pay the price when pressed,
and lose the life locked in that breast,
you my Lord, a fortress, remain a source
when I am empty.
A safety for my heart,
I cannot sum the times
you've kept me.
When fear has sought
to lead me from depressed
to disappearing,
tempting to pull me low-like, slowly,
coddling my woes,
distanced me from knowing,
my God, you've held me home,
saved me close.
How could I go beyond you?
Your boundaries, unaccounted for,
my friend, you are eternal,
my father, forever a light you've been,
essential.
What is there left to feed me
when you are all in all?
The nourishment encouraging,
again and again I seek thee.
My soul stays full,
my life not left to chance,
beneath my breast plate,
a heart beats out a dance
not one of desperation,
but praise and thanking,
for you are that pledge
that I will not be left a life
worth less than living.
A chosen soul, this I know
for I am already breathing.
A daughter before you,
a human thing, thought broken
and broken, susceptible to wind,
but Lord you have raised me
to be like my father.
Remind me again, thou art
my armor,
behind which fragility
exists to show me my returns
to you be a thing fate-forged.
For this and nothing else
I can love you ever more,
for where my heart resides,
my heart, my Lord, is in yours.
This post was part of our series "30 Days of Made: Love Yourself." Each day we released updates of videos, poetry, images, and original content, all based on the theme of loving yourself. Click the link to read more!
God bless the great orators of the world. Those who can give insightful speeches that resonate long after the event is over. We love videos of great speeches because on a bad day you can pull one up and remember why you should continue your quest to be MADE. Here are a few of the speeches that hit home for our staff. Check them out!
Steve Jobs- Commencement speech to the graduates of Stanford University in 2005
Tony Robbins - TED Speech 2006 "Why We Do What We Do"
Sandra Bullock - Academy Award Acceptance Speech 2010
Neil Pasricha- TED Talk "The 3 A's of Awesome"
Isabel Allende- TED Talks 2007 "Tells Tales of Passion"
J.K. Rowling- Havard Commencement Speech 2008
This post was part of our series "30 Days of Made: Love Yourself." Each day we released updates of videos, poetry, images, and original content, all based on the theme of loving yourself. Click the link to read more!
“I love you,” I love you,” I love you.” It's difficult to muster up the words at first, but it gets easier over time. Interestingly, there's always anticipation and discussion surrounding when a significant other will say those three little words. But, how often do we say, "I love myself"? That phrase doesn't even look right to read aloud. Go ahead, try it: I - love - myself. Weird, right? But should it be?
Well, it's Valentine’s Day, the day for lovers! And, I have to be very honest with you, this holiday was a flop for the first 17 years of my life. If I had a crush, I always wondered if they'd ask me to be their Valentine. Well, that was until I turned 14. After that, I accepted that Valentine’s Day way just like any other day. I wouldn't receive candy or flowers (unless they were from my mom). Then on February 14, 2005, it happened. A guy friend gave me a teddy bear accompanied by a hand written card. We wouldn't fall in love forever, but he will always be my first ever Valentine.
I’ve been on both sides of the fence. Nevertheless, after 18 years of being single on February 14, I came to understand that I must love myself first. Several years of being in a relationship reinforced this belief. And you should love yourself, too. So, whether you're single or committed, here are four things that I believe are nice ways to give yourself some love on Valentine’s Day (or any other day).
1. Self affirmations
Ok, this may seem totally cheesy, but I promise it's helpful. Take the time to find three redeeming qualities in yourself. Are you caring, assertive, maybe ambitious? Write them down, say them aloud if you like, but whatever you do, don't forget them. It's important that you're always cognizant of your strengths. You'll be more self-assured, and additionally your partner -- prospective partner or ever perspective employer -- will think better of you.
2. Take some time for yourself
Even if you have a partner, carve out a sliver of time to treat yourself. Indulge in a nice run, a quite bath or find a moment to do something you love. Doctors say that people are more likely to be happy if they use at least ten minutes of their day to participate in an activity they love. So, indulge yourself a little bit and realize that it is an act of love.
3. Reassess your desired characteristics for your partner
If you haven't found the right partner, or even if you think you have, sit back and assess what you want in a mate and whether those characteristics are a positive influence in your life. I'm guilty of looking for things in other people that aren't healthy. After being in a long-term relationship, it's easy to forget that you and your needs are constantly changing and evolving. If you want to have or keep a relationship that's healthy for you, keep it real with yourself and keep communicating with your partner.
4. See the cup as full
Whether the cup is half empty or half full, it’s full; one part air and one part water. Today, give yourself a break. There are a million negative thoughts going through our heads everyday and unfortunately, these far exceed the positive thoughts. If even for a moment you feel like you can’t do something, scrap that feeling and decide, “I can.” It’s a wonder how many things you can accomplish if you stop pre-judging yourself. Who knows, your positivity may flow into the other 364 days of the year.
These are things you can do every day -- not just on Valentine’s Day. So try them out and see the results for yourself. Hopefully these exercises will bring you one step closer to being comfortable saying those three little words aloud, "I love myself."
This article was part of our series "30 Days of Made: Love Yourself". Each day we released updates of videos, poetry, images, and original content, all based on the theme of loving yourself. Click the link to read more!
Ode To Big Bones
I love Me enough for the both of us trust, it's just my Big thing.
In spite of your judgmental nature
and piercing words that define your stature
A Big coping-mechanism of sorts is to blame…
Something to best explain why your face contorts when I stand before you.
B I G
Maybe it's my size that intimidates you
My extreme curves and chocolate thighs
make you look twice and think your thoughts through.
Have you hypothesizing what it’d feel like
to be inside of my Big,
hypnotizing
mind & things ...
seems like you’ve got some Big explaining to do.
I know I’m far different from the image
depicted on the silver screen
A sliver of society’s magazine pin-up wet dream
Seems its proved to be problematic
You write my name with only what your eyes have seen
Automatic-ally
B I G
And even though its not my job to fill all your potholes & shit
I guess you assumed all my excess thick would do the trick…
But Big intellect is not wearable, honey.
Try that on for size.
The irony of a Big girl possessing more swag than you do is unbearable..
I know, it can’t be true.
And when my Big mouth met your open ears,
I know the depth of my Big vocabulary was too much for you to handle.
You play pretend like my Big presence doesn’t make you uncomfortable.
Like this room isn’t big enough for me, you & your chauvinistic ego
Little do you know, relationships they come, they go
But I still remain here…
Proudly
B I G
I despise the way you look at me as if your stare isn’t see-thru,
I know your story so well, I could recite it back to you.
If I had a nickel for every time I ran over a superficial so’n’so like you,
I’d have collected enough dimes to fill up the space occupied by this one-of-a-kind
behind, combined with enough residual to change your cadaverous mind into
appreciating Big beauty… Soak it up.
This post was part of our series "30 Days of Made: Love Yourself." Each day we released updates of videos, poetry, images, and original content, all based on the theme of loving yourself. Click the link to read more!
Feeling better isn’t always a mere physical condition; it can also be a state of mind. When you’re in the mood for a little pick me up, take advantage of these ideas:
There’s no time like the present to give yourself a mini makeover from the inside out. Loving yourself means taking care of yourself -- with a slight indulgence here and there. Enjoy!
This article was part of our series "30 Days of Made: Love Yourself". Each day we released updates of videos, poetry, images, and original content, all based on the theme of loving yourself. Click the link to read more!
When we think about showing love to ourselves, automatically we think primp, prep and pamper. But when it comes to showing real concern for our own welfare through protecting ourselves, most of us don’t show any interest. Many of the women I know understand that there are dangers that come with being a woman, especially an attractive one. Yet, most of them also don’t think they’ll ever really become a statistic. I’m referring to that often-cited “1 in 6” American women who have been victims of attempted or completed rape in their lifetimes. That’s 17.7 million American women.* It’s a scary thought, which is why most of us avoid thinking about it until it happens.
However, sitting there and hoping it doesn’t happen to you isn’t your only option; there is something you can do—beyond just being careful whom you open the door for and never going out alone and all that. I’m talking about learning to really protect yourself – in a way more and more women are starting to embrace: Krav Maga.
Krav Maga was originally developed for the Israeli military, and it remains its official self-defense and fighting system. It has also become extremely popular within the U.S. military and among law enforcement agencies. It’s all about simple, instinctive movements applied to realistic training scenarios – situations you’d most likely face out on the streets where there are no rules. Its techniques are easy to learn, and you can become relatively proficient at Krav Maga in a short period of time. That’s what makes it so perfect for women. You don’t need to devote years to it just to get any use out of it; you can start learning useful, applicable moves right away.
Don’t believe me? Well, during my first Krav Maga class, I learned that if someone tries to put me in a choke hold, I should rotate with their momentum to hit them in the balls, use my other hand to push their nose back into their nose canal until they are forced to bend backwards, and then hammerfist their face – and then I spent half an hour practicing this. Meanwhile, I could see the level 3 and 4 classes next door practicing defending against knives and other weapons, and I couldn’t wait to get there. It was nothing like the karate classes of my childhood that I despised so much, where I spent countless hours learning to breathe right and perfecting completely useless poses. I don’t mean to insult anyone; I know karate is an art and a sport – but it’s simply not a practical form of self-defense for beginners.
And there’s another benefit: Krav Maga is an amazing way of staying in shape. It’s a tremendous full-body workout (just think about trying to hold a small pad in place as someone side-kicks you to the abs). You’re building upper-body and lower-body strength, flexibility, and stamina. And most Krav Maga studios now also offer cardio and CrossFit classes, giving you the option to add in some heavier workouts. You’re guaranteed to see your body become more toned than it’s ever been.
Interested? Check out www.kravmaga.com to look up a studio near you. There are 240 studios worldwide and 2 in Los Angeles – one in West LA and one in Sherman Oaks. The memberships are a bit pricier than your regular gym (somewhere around $150 in LA), but it’s worth every penny. After all, you’re not just staying fit – you’re learning to keep yourself safe. And there’s no better way to love yourself than to be able to protect yourself.
*Source: http://www.rainn.org/statistics
This month we are bringing you "30 Days of Made: Love Yourself". Each day we will release updates of videos, poetry, images, and original content, all based on the theme of loving yourself. Join us as we seek to reflect, refocus, and reward ourselves! Check back daily on our "30 Days of Made" tab to see what's new!
Great quotes offer a brief glimpse into the psyche of the wise and turn profound concepts into something simple and attainable. Not to mention their ability to instantly motivate us! We love to post and tweet quotes that we feel other Made Women will enjoy, so we turned to our own staff and asked them to share the ones that speak to them most. We hope that they empower and encourage you to keep pushing on toward your dreams! We’re right here with you.
"You yourself, as much as
anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." ~Buddha
“Remember, if you ever need a
helping hand, it's at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have
another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.” -
Audrey Hepburn
"Shoot for the moon, even if
you miss you'll land amongst the stars." - Les Brown
"Don't wish it were easier,
wish you were better." - Jim Rohn
“Do or Do not. There is no try.”
-Yoda
“How can I love somebody else / If
I can’t love myself enough to know/ Life is too short/
To be tryin to play some games.”
-Mary J, “Be Happy”
"For I know the plans I have
for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Confucius
“I'll sell ice in the winter,
I'll sell fire in hell, I am a hustler baby, I’ll sell water to a well” -
Jay-Z, "You Don't Know"
“Even if you fall on your face,
you're still moving forward." - Vincent Kiam
"If you are not willing to
risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.” - Jim Rohn
“Shine like the moon/ And strong
like the sea. More expensive than money/ more valuable than anything. Juicy
mango summer peach/ Make a lame man walk and a full man hungry”
-Jill Scott, “Rolling Hills”
"Every day in every way I'm
getting better and better." - My grandpa
“Make the most of yourself, for
that is all there is of you.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Better to live one year as
a tiger, then a hundred as sheep." - Madonna
Share these, write your favorite ones down or print this out and keep it with you to help motivate you throughout the month!
This article was part of our series "30 Days of Made: Love Yourself". Each day we released updates of videos, poetry, images, and original content, all based on the theme of loving yourself. Click the link to read more!
So, what was it? Did you promise to give up fast food this year or to take on more side projects? Did you pledge to stop dating men who play videogames? Maybe this year you swore to work out five times a week until 2013. Well, it’s February 1st and I have a reality check for your resolution: things promised in the midst of New Year’s excitement and between glasses of champagne rarely stick. Sorry, but it’s true. I know because I’ve tried many times to stick to my New Year’s resolutions and they never work out. I forget, don’t take it seriously enough, or get caught up in my excitement and set the bar too high. Either way I end up feeling worse about my situation by mid-January. #ResolutionFail
Really though, at the heart, resolutions are about change. They are about believing the newness that comes with a fresh, new calendar will mean bigger and better in our lives. This means willing and working ourselves closer to our goals. The intent behind the resolution is great, but who knows if the goal you set for yourself will even have meaning for you come summertime.
Maybe it’s time to try something different. A complete lifestyle shift. Instead of resolving to do random tasks (which you probably don’t want to do anyway), why not try changing your overall mindset? What if you focused more on giving yourself the time, space, and consideration to really grow? What if you committed to…loving yourself?
Wait one second, missy. I’m not taking about putting on a crown and calling yourself The Barbie Princess. And I’m not talking about telling your friends and family to kick rocks so that you can selfishly “Do You.” I’m talking about undergoing a transformation with us over the next thirty days so you can learn new ways to give more to yourself and those in your life. This will allow you to improve your frame of mind in order to achieve greater things—for your career, your relationships and your health. More self-love then self-lust.
And the outcome? Who knows. Maybe you won’t stick with us as we grow each day. But we hope you leave with something lasting rather than something that is thrown away along with those silly cone hats. Welcome to 30 Days of Made: Love Yourself Edition, Day 1.
This article was part of our series "30 Days of Made: Love Yourself". Each day we released updates of videos, poetry, images, and original content, all based on the theme of loving yourself. Click the link to read more!
Made Woman Mag has done it again! 30 Days of Made: Love Yourself Edition starts February 1st! But this time we are going to provide you with daily updates of videos, poetry, images, and original content, all based on the theme of loving yourself. We are collaborating with the best female bloggers, poets, and industry leaders from around the net. And the love doesn't stop there: Made Woman Magazine is also hosting discussions and giveaways on our Facebook page. Like our page now and sign up for our email updates to stay in the loop!
Check back daily on our 30 Days of Made tab to see what's new!
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They are out there. Prowling the job boards. Stalking Monster.com. Attacking any job opening they see. They are job hunters, and they need all the help they can get. That's why we decided to make our very first "30 Days of Made" a Career Edition. We want to give those hopeful hunters out there an edge in their search.
We also made this week's issue an essential how-to guide for snagging the perfect job. From an HR specialist's pointers on beefing up your resume, acing the interview and secrets to breaking into the beauty industry to daily job search tips on Facebook and Twitter--we have you covered. Plus, check out our interview with the newly appointed FOX News affiliate reporter Maya Holmes and get insight into what it takes to get a job in this economy.
Don't get depressed on your job hunt. We know searching for jobs can get tiresome. But we are in this together. The hunt is on.
Stay Made,
Serena Watson
Editor-In- Chief
Made Woman Magazine
made woman everywhere
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