EDITOR – I USED to think sarcastically of Women’s Day and question why there wasn’t a Men’s Day. But as the years have gone by, I have accepted a few known facts when it comes to women such as their fight for equal opportunities for centuries.
They have achieved many changes in the world although a few challenges still exist. Unequal wages, slow promotions in many corporate companies are just a few examples. No matter how we can try and run our government down for its shortcomings, we must give it credit for recognising women. Some of us men benefit in business because we have our wives as equal partners and for that, many doors open. But where we fall short at times is when we don’t recognise them as equals in decision making. Yes, God created a man to be a leader, but even the best leaders need counselling and direction at times.
The famous song, This is a Man’s World, centres around the fact that it is worth nothing without a woman.
Proverbs 31:10, speaks of a virtuous woman. It narrates the responsibilities of a woman while her husband is out taking care of business in the field. As men, we need to be honest with ourselves and give credit where it is due. While I admire the men who have grown their businesses on their own, I bow out of that category, because I did not.
From the start of building my company, my wife was by my side and many times in the front. During the challenging first year of business, I made many poor decisions that could have jeopardised and threatened the future of our business, had it not been for a woman’s counselling. I opposed almost all her suggestions and gave intelligent reasoning as to why it wouldn’t work her way, when in fact, most of the time I was fighting the acceptance that my wife is very intelligent.
Frank Sinatra’s I Did It My Way is one of my favourite songs, I sang it at home or at work functions and so proudly until I realised that I did it God’s way. And that way is to acknowledge my helpmate as it is on the book of Genesis.
My wife, like every other woman, is that hidden part of the Ferrari that not many people recognise such as the engine. The husband is the body and driver. While everyone focuses on the man driving, we forget that the vehicle will go nowhere if the engine is off. The engine is the most important part, the heart.
So, when you see a good car with great performance, pay attention and give recognition to the hidden parts that make that car great.
Likewise, when you see a home filled with peace and love, pay attention and give appreciation to the mother of the house. Often times than not, it is the mother who does the disciplining. Women will play the bad part so that the end results are good. Just as she will have your back when everyone turns theirs on you and will stand strong and loyal even if it seems impossible to everyone else.
Think of the women at your workplace, from the filing clerk to the cleaner, the assistant on-site to the safety officers, the fire watch and every possible job that women do, consider their worth and show appreciation.
If my argument is still not convincing, I propose we run a test and give women a day off and let the men go to work. It may not be such a good day in the end. The engine will be missing and all we will have are Ferrari drivers going nowhere.
From men with standards to women of integrity, we wish you a Happy Women’s Day.
With sincere appreciation,
David Swartz
