The truth is, most virtuous women wrestle with inner thoughts that they are not completely virtuous, but in many ways flawed, exhausted, and running low…

How can a raging maniac be more precious than rubies? Can she be virtuous and yell? And swear? Do take-out and fast food for consecutive days?

The more diligent a woman of valor becomes, the more underappreciated she realizes she is. 

But it doesn’t matter. Because women of valor don’t need to be shown appreciation in order to do what needs to be done.

They are constantly in service to others. While others are in service to themselves.

They are the helm of the boat, keeping everything and everybody on course.

//

Contrary to popular belief,

she did not wake up like this. 

She is still wading in her destiny, swimming fiercely toward manifestation. 

Often rowing through towering walls of water (also known as tears). 

She doesn’t always wake up like this. 

Not feeling like a merchant ship bringing food from afar.

Not always anchored, most often she is coasting.  

And sometimes, she wakes up like

an armada– surveying the damage from a harrowing war of words–

But she learns how to sail safely in the storm without drowning in emotions.

Sometimes, she wakes up a lifeboat. Having saved children from monster nightmares and bed-wetting mishaps. 

On to work, where in the absence of her, everything falls to the lowest layer of the ocean.  

And then there are the raft mornings when all she can do is cherish the basics…

Like the warmth of coffee on her tongue– she sipps while going eight miles over the speed limit, full force toward her treasure.

Driven by powerful mother currents and sister winds.

Watching constantly for pink waves, stress signals, and lighthouses.

A boat becomes a ship when it carries other boats.

Clinnesha is a writer, wife, mom, meta-artist, and social entrepreneur who feels most accountable to southern, black citizen-artists, elders, children, and families. Her work is at the intersection of arts, culture, innovation, and community.