"The woman who does not require validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet." - Mohadesa Najumi.
This quote requires contemplation. Firstly, allow me to confess that I have absolutely no clue as to the identity of Mohadesa Najumi. Perhaps this makes me an unintellectual oaf. Whether it does or not, I haven't the slightest clue who she is. She could be the representative from Zimbabwe to the U.N., she could be a doctor with DWB.....or she could be the author of a novella published only on Amazon. I don't know. Secondly, I find this quote challenging. I would love to think that I possess this quality. That I, too, am a "most feared individual." Yet, if I am honest with myself, I know this to be untrue. At work, I am relatively confident. Amongst friends, also so. Yet, there are many instances in life which prove me to require validation. My signifiant other. My parents. My in-laws. My sibling. If I put affection on you, I likely struggle immensely with needing your approval. The most so with my SO. "Struggle," in this sense, is not a strong enough term. Were there a "four letter word" for this concept, I would necessitate its use to describe our relationship.
Being a woman of faith, I frustrate continually over this situation, to be entirely honest. I know that Christ comes first, or should. "Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you." My reaction to that verse ranges from "I KNOW!" to humble admonition. And EVERYWHERE in between. I know that I should seek God first, place my trust in Him, and He will take care of the "little stuff." Which, in this case, comprises everything. Including my SO.
I want many things in life, though I have been accused otherwise. I want to love others, and have them know that I love them. I want to show Christ's love to others through a servant hearted attitude and genuine concern. I want my SO to appreciate me for who I am, as trite as that sounds. I want him to let me love him both as he needs and in ways that show him who he committed to. I want to have children someday, preferably in the near future. I want to find ways to express my creativity. I want to be an excellent nurse other nurses respect and look to - both for my own self assurance, and because I think that professional excellence is one way Christians can stand out as lights in the darkness.
So many things I want. I also want to be content, ironically enough.
Ultimately, we cannot be women who "do not require validation." Though I understand in essence what Najumi refers to, it is not how we are created. As human beings, we are created with many needs - love (a major form of validation) being one of them. We need to be validated. That is why Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and many other forms of social media became such quick successes. We seek validation from others. We need it. What we so easily forget is that we already have validation. What better form of validation - what better expression of innate value - than creating us and sacrificing for us?
Luke 12:7 - Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
God knows every hair on my head. God knows every aspect of my personality. I read once that we don't need to worry about "letting God down," because we were never responsible for holding God up - God is responsible for holding us up. God created me just as I am. He created each of us just as we are. He created me with brown eyes, freckles, and fair skin. He created my sister with green eyes and Amazon stature. He created my mother's servant heart and passion for people, and my father's generosity and obsession with punctuality. None of these things were accidental. God doesn't make mistakes.
Perhaps, Ms. Najumi, if I could make a small edition to your quote:
"The woman who finds her validation in God is the most feared individual on the planet."
Confidence in oneself is a beautiful thing. Confidence in yourself as the purposed creation of a loving Heavenly Father? Priceless.
For what it's worth, following the composition of this article, I researched the quotable person mentioned at the beginning. Here is what I found:
Mohadesa Najumi is a writer based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Mohadesa is a Masters of Science candidate at the University of Amsterdam and has obtained her Bachelors at the University of Westminster in London, United Kingdom. Her academic background is political science, history and international relations. Mohadesa is a prominent women's rights blogger and proclaimed intersectional feminist. Her work has been featured on a number of media channels throughout the world. Mohadesa is also interested in secularism, social ontology, existentialist philosophy and writing poetry.
