Saturday, April 6, 2013

Women and Men

Believe it or not, there are 103 men for every 100 women in Salt Lake City. It's hard to imagine. 

But then I see scenes like this, and I know it's true.


This is a line of homeless people near the shelter gathering to share a meal outside the shelter.

I read a meme on Facebook today that basically shares that men need women to lead them to God and the Source. And men are here to protect women.

This thought was mulling around my brain when a couple of men came into to the storage facility today. We conducted business than *Bob and I had an interesting discussion. He said, without a touch of impropriety, that I was the only woman in his life. I remembered what I had read about SLC having more men than women and the quote about women and men.

I paused for a moment and a memory came into my mind.

I said, "Do you know the best way to escape the rip tide? You have to swim below the surface. Swim under the water and come up the other side of the breaking waves. That's what detox is. When you're on drugs, you're stuck in a rip tide of sorts. In order to get unstuck--you have to dive below where you're at. That's detox. You went below and now you're finally unstuck. It is going to be all right."

I don't know what possessed me to share this random lesson with a total stranger except that he told me I was the only woman in his life and I suddenly felt this need to contribute to his path to God.

In looking at the other side of the coin--men protect women--I remember a moment a few months ago. I was with a good friend. I was so tired. So incredibly tired. We had been talking for hours. I felt so open and vulnerable. He sat in an oversized chair, and I crawled up into his lap, and rested my head into the crook of his neck. I let my heart press against his chest. I let myself let go. I let myself feel safe. My emotions mirrored my physical surrender. I let myself finally feel safe and open. I began to sob into his neck. I will never forget that moment of surrender.

I enjoy being an independent woman, but it wasn't until that moment that I realized the height and thickness of the walls I build in my heart to protect myself from any vulnerability.

I am grateful that despite being far from any sort of longterm relationship, I am able to be a blessing to the good men who come into my life and I'm grateful for that kind male friend who offered me safety and allowed me to let my walls down on that long night.



2 comments:

Joseph L. Puente said...

You are most indeed a blessing.

Moon Goddess said...

It doesnt really matter what the ratio of men to women in Salt Lake is. The real question is what type of man do YOU want??? Are you a sperm or an egg??? (gender need not apply here). Are you the chaser or the chasee??? Do you want to take care of a man or have him take care of you??? I am writing this from my back parlor pyschic alter ego and just going to throw it out there. Because in relationships there is one leader and one follower... and figuring out your preference is the place to start-- because then you will attract the complimentary opposite. May you be blessed with love, kisses and the romance you desire...