Within the alkaline atmosphere
Created by a society that is
Stretched far too thin to
Feel the corrosion and oxidation,

The biting, acidic words of a
Media run rampant with
Perfectionism and Abasement
Penetrate even the infallible.

I refuse to become one of many
Who bristle against conformity
By conforming to a different
But equally horrific set of standards

Where pajama bottoms are
Acceptable streetwear
And it becomes an effort
To be bothered with mascara.

I look into the mirror and see
No matter what, I am a lady.
A woman, with beauty that deserves
To be rewarded and accentuated.

I will not judge but will attempt
To encourage, empower, and enlighten.
No, you do not need the frills.
You are impeccable and amazing on your own.

The point is not to de-evolve.
It is to amplify evolution.
The point is not to teach that
Bare, naked and true needs to be hidden.

The point is to show that
What you wear affects
How you carry yourself.
Your head, your hands, your heart.

When you dress like a lady,
You act like a lady,
And therefore, Ladies,
You can expect to be treated like a lady.

Always be the leading lady of your own life.

—

This post is not meant to offend, defeat or hurt anyone, as I know some rockin’ ass females who wear pajamas outside of bed… and even their homes, on occasion. This is simply a reflection of how I have been feeling about myself lately. When I put forth the effort to wear a skirt, curl my hair, and accentuate my pretty features with a bit of color and depth, I feel better about myself. I hold my head higher. I sit up straighter. I enjoy life more.

Pretty clothes, makeup and nice hair is my armor. I’m sure there are many who would say it is a crutch and that I need to work on the handicap, but there is truth to the last stanza of what I wrote above.

Today, Life got in the way of my morning routine, so I sit here with my hair pulled into an ugly topknot and barely enough girliness to make walking around tolerable. And I recognize that if I hadn’t put in earrings, if I’d forgone the skirt and pretty underthings, and thrown on the jeans and sneakers which tempted me this morning, I may actually have been miserably hiding in my office all day today.

So I wrote this. For myself. As a reminder, to always act like a lady in order to feel like one. Because I am my own leading lady.