I Am Woman

This morning I was at an aerobic exercise class and this song comes on.

Well it hit me between the eyes and in the heart.

I was 5 when I heard this on the radio and Dad managed to tape it - the old way, with the finger on the record button of the cassette tape, as it came on the radio again.

I played it over and over and over. Out on the swings, with the tape player. Over and over.

It was a mantra.

It just hit me during that class, how empowering the words were to that little 5 year old girl and now, as a woman how true those words are.

So as I blub my way through intense gratitude to that little girl and for the incredible opportunity I had to have such a strong message. It may not have consciously meant much beyond 5 year old comprehension, but now, 48 years later ...... wow! It gets me right in the heart.

I want this strength and wisdom for woman around the world. Conviction, growth, loving arms across the land. And 'my brother understand'. 'Paid the price but look how much I gained'.

******************************** I am woman, hear me roar In numbers too big to ignore And I know too much to go back an' pretend 'Cause I've heard it all before And I've been down there on the floor No one's ever gonna keep me down again Oh yes, I am wise But it's wisdom born of pain

Yes, I've paid the price But look how much I gained If I have to, I can do anything I am strong (Strong) I am invincible (Invincible) I am woman

You can bend but never break me 'Cause it only serves to make me More determined to achieve my final goal And I come back even stronger Not a novice any longer 'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

Oh yes, I am wise But it's wisdom born of pain Yes, I've paid the price But look how much I gained If I have to, I can do anything I am strong (Strong) I am invincible (Invincible) I am woman

I am woman watch me grow See me standing toe to toe As I spread my lovin' arms across the land But I'm still an embryo With a long, long way to go Until I make my brother understand

Oh yes, I am wise But it's wisdom born of pain Yes, I've paid the price But look how much I gained If I have to, I can face anything I am strong (Strong) I am invincible (Invincible) I am woman

I am woman I am invincible I am strong I am woman I am invincible I am strong I am woman

********************************

Find Helen Reddy singing this here.

And today, this song inspires me to continue to spread my own loving arms across the land, with wisdom, strength, clarity, invincibility.

To be a woman.