The Tribune

By Michelle M Miller

There are more women serving in the education system, religious arenas and charity organisations; more women in nursing and in most workplaces across the Bahamas. Indeed, more women are playing lead roles in the home, within the society and the world.

Historically speaking, when compared to the small number of opportunities available to women of the past, the fact that so many women are in key positions in our society by any account is relatively progressive.

It is striking however that despite this surface-based progress, the present state of social affairs leaves much to be desired and demands a deeper analysis. Today, throughout our society, mayhem and anti-social behaviour has become the norm. Stagnant issues of teen-motherhood, truancy, anxiety, aggression and criminal behaviour remain systemic.

Indeed, in contrast to the small window for personal pursuits experienced by women of yesterday, one must wonder what the women of today have done with the currency of influence.

To paraphrase the great Albert Einstein, we cannot solve problems with the same level of thinking that produced them. If we seek deeper more sustainable solutions then we must think at a deeper more meaningful level.

This means moving from merely being provocative to being thought provoking; taking honest examination of the ingredients of our motives, our influence and its effect on social behaviour.

Let us be frank, each of us are carriers of influence. The question that must be asked is: what is the value of our influence and what specifically are we spending it on?

Life is about influence. Having been blessed with the wisdom of my great-grandmother, grandmother and mother, I know the depth of their frame of reference. It was obvious to me that their intention was to be authentic. They lived humbly and exuded something deeper than fancy cars and diamond rings. Instead, they were women of substance. With little modern education, they taught responsibility and positively influenced the society in which they lived.

Despite the endless acquisition of material wealth, many people today do not know the value of their influence. As such, they spend the bulk of their influence chasing the often-elusive targets, prosperity and affluence. It is an illusion of temporary fulfilment, often leading to a life of quiet desperation.

How can women take ownership of the currency of their influence to usher in a more positive social outlook? This is the fundamental question for women to consider. Whether we agree or disagree, we are the vessels of life. Womanhood is about maternal instinct, care giving and nurturing. We are the ones with the inborn capacity to induce and influence positive change.

Indeed, we are the directors of the social compass of our society. As such, we cannot continue to vacillate on the treadmill of material pursuits, drowning ourselves in temporary fixings.

Let us be mindful that we stand on the shoulders of giants: great women who embodied courage, spirit, grace and humility. It is time for women to take a stand. We must take a deeper look at who we have become and more importantly, redefine who we are seeking to be going forward.

We owe it to those who sacrificed their own self-interests to be better stewards of our own lives and of this amazing land. We must find the courage to redefine ourselves and re-evaluate the currency of our influence. Until we the women, take honest stock of ourselves and positively direct our influence, we will continue in a downward spiral. We must inspire our children, uplift our men, support each other and improve this society.

The song “Exodus” by Bob Marley states: “Open your eyes and look within: Are you satisfied (with the life you’re living)?” Exodus is a mass departure; we must depart from present day use of influence and move to a higher, loftier use. Ultimately, we are each the greatest influence in our lives. If we want a better society, we must become better people.

Let us stop talking about being the change and be the influence that induces the change. Let us act now by taking charge of the currency of our influence and the way it is expended. Now is the perfect time to shift the paradigm

• Michelle M. Miller is a certified life-coach, leadership expert and author. She is the CEO of TTL Coaching Strategies and founder of the Girls Leadership Coaching Club. Questions or comments can be sent to askworklife@yahoo.com.