Happy Saturday! Time for my Five Minute Friday contribution. Check out the amazing five minutes takes at Kate’s place on Facebook at  http://www.fiveminutefriday.com by our special community of writers.

I’ve been sharing snippets taken from Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat. They are a testament to the value of the exercise. This week, I’ll share some perspective from Jolene who I hope inspires you to check us out or, better yet, try your hand at focused, unscripted writing for just five minutes. And share it on Kate’s website.

“I stumbled across Five Minute Friday several years ago, when I noticed that several blogs that I read participated in the weekly link up. I checked it out one Friday night, and thought it was a fun idea and a great writing exercise. I didn’t realize then, that it is truly a community. The fellow FMF writers became my friends as we gathered each week and commented on each other’s posts. I have several friends that I would never have met if it had not been for Five Minute Friday. I am blessed to be part of this wonderfu community of writers.”

The prompt is WOMAN, yes Woman. This should be interesting.The timer has been set, so I guess it’s time to GO…

I am Woman, hear me roar!

Wait a minute. Let’s think this through. I am not a woman. But I do have some thoughts from a male perspective.

I always told my wife and daughters they should roar! They are strong, passionate and, most of all, compassionate. And all too often they never saw their power.

In my generation, woman were somehow thought of as being inferior or subservient. I, ashamedly, also took that sexist attitude growing up … but my eyes were opened. Women are not subservient. They are strong. They are helpmates and friends. They have needs — basically the same as men — but approached differently.

As I’ve matured, I noticed how much I relied (rely) on the women in my life. They lift me up, more than I can ever lift them up.

I always tried to point out their worth. Women are not “just” … STOP

… women. They are wives, mothers, friends, part doctor/nurse, confidants, chauffeurs, homemakers, domestic engineers, career women balancing home and work and generally faith-filled, even if they don’t know or acknowledge it. They can be the greatest prayer warriors in the world.

So, here’s to women! Embrace your gender! You can do anything you set your mind to! Believe in yourself! ROAR! Or as Helen Reddy sang,

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

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Watch your thoughts because they will become your character.