'I love me better than that': recording artist tells Sisters to find joy, happiness by taking control of lives

Isn't it amazing how we Sistahs can find bionic-woman, superhuman strength to do everything for everybody else, all in the name of love?

We raise our kids, stand by our men, support our girlfriend when she gets her heart broken, feed the hungry, sing in the choir, and let's not forget the PTA! Yet we stand behind our designer masks of Gucci, Prada, Versace, Louis as though all is well in our world, when in fact the truth is we're "tore-up from the floor-up!" Yet we continually pour out our hearts, our emotions and our strength, until the well of our very spirit is totally depleted!

Although we are guilty of subjecting ourselves to this self-inflicted sickness, we must remember that we have been given freedom of choice! When you finally understand that you can't truly love anyone else until you learn to love yourself, then you can start making the "me" choice--not to the exclusion of others, but to the inclusion of yourself! The best thing you can bring to the 'hood, be it motherhood, sisterhood or whatever 'hood you find yourself in, is a whole and happy you. Sistah-girl, you need to understand that you were "... fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalms 139:14).

Before any manufacturer actually makes a product, it has purpose before it reaches the assembly line. Honey, you were made on purpose, with purpose, and for a purpose! Purpose begins with a thought. "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome" (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP).

What an awesome expression of love--just for you! Yes, you, who had a baby out of wedlock and you feel your life is over. You, who has just been through a divorce and your self-esteem has been frushed down the toilet! And yes, you too, Sister, you who are feeling trapped in that verbally or physically abusive relationship. Maybe it's an addiction that torments you, or perhaps you stayed in a relationship way past the expiration date and it has become toxic.

God has love for you and dreams for you with no expiration date. He has hope for you, joy for you, peace for you, success for you. "For me?" you may ask. "Then why am I not experiencing this in my life?" You just read about the blueprint that God has for your life, so it is time to look into the mirror of your life and ask yourself some questions about what you see. It is important to be truthful in your self-assessment, because the truth will set you free.

Are there things in your life separating you, hindering you and plain old blocking the flow of God's blessings? If so, then it's time to rotor-rooter that stuff out of your life. What about that negative crowd you're hangin' out with? Listen, if there's anyone around you who doesn't add to you and your well-being or contribute to you becoming the awesome person that God has ordained you to be, then they have GOT to GO! If they don't add "to" you, they subtract "from" you and must be removed from your life. Love is patient; love is kind and long-suffering. Love does not knock you up side your head or give you a black eye. If your man hits you, it ain't love. If your man tears down everything you try to build up, it ain't love. If your man tries to separate you from your friends and your family, it ain't love.

It is time, my Sistahs, to stand up and take back everything that has been stolen from you. It's time to gather up all the broken pieces of your life and make this your declaration, your song, your anthem: "I Love Me Better Than That!" Better than anything that hinders me from being my very best self. I'm going to get my life back! I know I've made mistakes, but it's never too late. I want my joy back, I want my peace back, I want my strength back! I want my mind back, my self-esteem back, I want my keys back! I want my hope back, I want my dreams back, so don't you come back! 'Cause I LOVE ME BETTER THAN THAT!

So how do I love me? "BETTA-BABY!"

COPYRIGHT 2007 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning