It was a huge compliment as a woman to be considered shy, quiet and modest. As a result, little girls and young women were taught to be ‘demure’: to be polite and shy.

As a musician, Alicia Keys would have had a heightened experience of the consequences of being demure: as a young, gifted and black woman in a sea of music executives, all of whom wanted to exploit her and her talent. And she, being young, inexperienced and in a position of weakness initially, would have made certain choices and allowed certain decisions that in different circumstances she would not have made.

Fortunately, and like Alicia, we have become wise to the fact that by being demure, we are handing over our power to others who will not act in our best interests. It is time to claim that power and be a bit ‘brazen’ in asking for what we want!

 

Throughout the day, we invite you to revisit this quote. Below are a few questions you may wish to ask yourself, and those who journal may find them especially useful:

• In what ways am I still diminishing my power?
• What would it take for me to find my voice?
• How prepared am I for the consequences of being brazen and asking for what I want?

 

 

Best wishes and have a great day!