It’s Mama…………..
“Burn the Ship”
I learned recently of a quote that resonated deeply with me…
“Burn the Ship” which originates from the story of Hernan Cortes’ conquest of Mexico in 1519. In 1519, Cortés led an expedition from Cuba to the mainland of Mexico with the goal of conquest and exploration. Cortés, upon landing in the New World, ordered his ships to be destroyed, eliminating any possibility of retreat to his soldiers. This act was a powerful message to his men, forcing them to commit fully to the conquest of the Aztec empire.
Some brief research shared this with me (provided by internet resources):
The Order:
Upon arrival, Cortés famously ordered his ships to be destroyed, either burned or scuttled (sink it).
The Motivation:
This act served to eliminate any possibility of retreat, forcing his men to focus entirely on conquering the Aztec empire. With no way back, they had to succeed or face dire consequences.
The Outcome:
Cortés and his men, despite facing a formidable enemy and daunting odds, persevered and ultimately conquered the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán.
Modern Usage:
The phrase “burn the ships” is now used metaphorically to describe a commitment to a goal with no turning back, forcing individuals to focus their efforts and dedication.
I have thought about this concept a lot recently….especially when considering why it is so hard for me to start and finish things I feel the need to start and finish. I confess that this in ability to finish strong has become worse for me with age. And, I find it frustrating.
Truth is, I was much better at finishing strong when I was younger. I especially was good at finishing strong when I was raising my children, leading children’s ministry at our then church, keeping a clean home, fixing meals for my family, ensuring my children had their homework completed, driving my children to all of their appointments and extra curricular activities, ensuring my husband had cleaned and ironed shirts for work….I think you see where this is going.
What I have never been good at is taking care of my personal self and wellness. And, I think this shows in my health history, my physical body, and to any commitment that is for myself. Even as I write this, I struggle because deep down in my soul I hear a whisper of “you are self-absorbed and selfish…how can you even begin to think you have never finished commitments for yourself?”
Why do we do that to ourselves? Why especially do women do that to themselves?
In fact, why do women parlay that mindset on other women?
I know some women who are very into their personal wellness, organization, and overall investment into their personal growth and even I have thought that they were, at times, “self-involved” or “self-absorbed” . I was deeply wrong.
Since when did prioritizing personal wellness equate to self-absorption?
As a therapist, I work with women of all ages, backgrounds, and hearts and find that almost all of them feel the same way that I do…self-investment equates to self-absorption. And so, they may start things, but they don’t complete them out of guilt or fear hat they “come across” as selfish and narcissistic (such an overused term in our society today).
When, in reality, we are called to press on to the goal to which God has called us.which necessitates taking care of the very vessel that He has given us. Which, in turn, requires us to pay attention to ourselves, our body, our mind, our spirit, our hearts.
So, you may ask, what does Cortes’ “Burn the Ship” have to do with women taking care of themselves?
I think a lot.
If women “burned the ship” of those negative thoughts, negative self-talk, negative investments into themselves and began realizing the moment you absorb the fact that the words “you cannot drink from an empty cup” is true, then women would change. And, they would be able to openly and freely invest into themselves so in turn, they could invest in what they are put here on this earth to do.
If women were able to “burn the ship” of accepting everyone else’s opinions of them and instead came to know themselves and what God has for them, their purpose would be more clear and their ability to walk the direction of that purpose would be one of insight, strength, commitment, and completion.
Even in writing this I am thinking, “well, Lesa, not everyone believes in God” nor does “everyone have a higher power”.
Well, of course not!
But I do.
And, one thing we need more of today is individuals who honestly seek for themselves their beliefs, thoughts, and non-negotiables as well as a pursuit for personal truth.
I believe that with all of my heart as a woman.
A wife
A mother
A granna
A sister
A friend
A therapist
And, most importantly, for me…
A woman of faith
So, for the balance of this year and as I write more blogs for my daughter, Madison, at her request, I will be leaning toward the theme of “burning the ships” in our lives so that we are forced to let go of the past and focus only on the future.
When we burn the ships of our past, we free up the building of our times to come.
And, as for me and my daughter, we want that building to be for a purpose greater than ourselves…
We Build For God
ILYAOYMC,
Mama
