“When you are a real queen, there is absolutely no reason to try and make people believe that are one. Because you just are. Life is lived with grace, courage, and serenity. If you must dedicate any amount of time and mental ability to making anyone believe that you are one; you’re not!”– C. JoyBell C.
I get a kick out of watching animal rescue videos on the Dodo and the Kiwi.
I recently watched a video that spotlighted the rescue of Millie the dwarf horse, a spunky little horse no bigger than a golden retriever whose collapsed front hooves made it hard for her to walk. At the start of the video her depression was evident, and she seemed to want nothing more than to be left alone. But as she began to respond to love and warmth and good food, her depression seemed to lift. By the time she recovered from her foot surgery, she was prancing through the pasture and comforting other new dwarf rescues.
Be still my heart.
But as I watched the video, there was a point when Millie no longer held my full attention, because I realized the head rescuer was a total and absolute Queen.
She was undoubtedly wealthy, judging from the fancy stables, the rolling impeccably-kept grounds, and the multitude of employees grooming, training and riding the dozens of expensive horses throughout the many clean well-lit barns. She was tall, blond and statuesque, looking classy in her simple black yoga tights, black long-sleeve turtleneck, and athletic sneakers. Not overdressed, not underdressed, just understated and elegant.
Her three beautiful grown daughters all participated in the rescue of precious Millie, while her good-looking burly husband stayed mostly off-camera (if you watched and listened carefully you could just catch of a glimpse of him looking adoringly in his wife’s direction and answering quietly to the name “Darlin’).
But what struck me the most was her glow and quiet demeanor, her “in the momentness.” She had nothing to prove- Queens never do. Although you see her beatific smile, you hear her infectious laughter, and you see her cuddling Millie and carrying her from room to room and to-and-from doctor’s appointments, Millie is always the center of attention. All you see on the woman’s face is her unabashed love for Millie, which just spills out all over the camera. Have you ever watched a mother watch her baby, and she forgets you are watching her watch her baby? Gone from her face is any trace of affectation, self-consciousness, or ego- all that is left is a mother’s pure, unadulterated love for her child.
That was the expression on this woman’s face.
That’s Queensense.
Once you know what one looks like, it’s easy to spot a Queen. Think about a woman you admire for her strength, independence, beauty, talent, or simply her “I don’t-give-a-fuck-what-you-think-about-me-ness.” Maybe you have always loved Audrey Hepburn’s impish style, Grace Kelly’s poise, or Jackie O’s shades, or Beyonce’s ability to transform into Sasha Fierce. Maybe (like me) you are dazzled by the brilliant Helen Mirren, who has re-defined not only female hotness, but the timetable of women’s LFD (Last Fuckable Day. Answer? Never. Dame Helen will never not be fuckable. Ever see her red bathing suit shot? Good God). Maybe you admire the scarfing talent of competitive eater Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, who chose her arachnid nickname because of her desire to eliminate males in competition. Maybe you crush on violinist Sarah Chang, or CEO Sheryl Sandberg. Tina Fey, Melania Trump, Angela Sheldrick, the list could go on and on.
(Let’s not forget Oprah. I’m not a huge fan, not since she started trying to tell me what to read and not to read, but it is indisputable that if a woman is recognized by her first name only, then she’s a Queen, end of story).
Now close your eyes and picture her looking badass. Got the visual? Keep envisioning her, and ask yourself: Is there a man standing next to her in this visual? No?
Then she’s a Queen.
A Queen doesn’t have to be a celebrity. Most Queens aren’t celebrities, and most celebrities aren’t Queens (they just think they are, which is a most un-Queenlike quality). Queens are in grocery stores, libraries, hospitals, the office. A Queen can be your single mother, who put three kids through college on her own. A Queen can be your best friend from college, who flies to Sri Lanka once a year to do mission work but doesn’t tell a soul. A Queen is your co-worker who remains joyful and kind despite her husband’s cancer battle. A Queen is any woman who defies society’s expectations and sort of floats and glides through life’s successes and failures with that enigmatic smile on her face. She asks for no applause, no attention, no validation.
She’s one scary beautiful bitch.
Here’s a handy list.
A Queen:
- Never looks neither right nor left, only straight ahead.
- Lives her life low-key and does not announce her moves.
- Never worries herself with what other people are doing.
- Does not act superior or inferior to anyone.
- Never chases people or situations.
- Always maintains a semblance of calm.
- Loves to be surrounded by luxury.
- Believes in the beauty of the body, mind, heart and soul.
- Takes care of herself using the same effort she uses to care for others.
- Practices gratitude for all that she has.
- Never makes too much of herself.
A Non-Queen:
- Envies others their “stuff,” and is rarely satisfied with her own.
- Suffers from feelings of superiority for what she has, or inferiority for what she doesn’t.
- Has a constant need for attention, always broadcasting her achievements (and failures) on social media.
- Is loud and abrasive in public, desperate to get the attention of everyone in the room.
- Lets the slightest life obstacle derail her.
- Looks consistently unkempt or cheap.
- Is unorganized; thus, so is her life.
- Finds it difficult to find the beauty and simplicity in life.
- Is clingy and desperate, constantly chasing people and situations.
- Takes care of others but neglects to take care of herself.
Queensense is living on purpose. It is having a reciprocal relationship with the planet, the people in your life, your own body and mind, which makes you complete, full, and content. When a woman connects with her heart and soul and mind, when she connects directly with the world and the universe, that vibe is magnetic, and will pull whoever is meant to be in her life right in. Improve and love yourself, and keep your mind, body and heart occupied.
Celebrate the Kings and Queens in your lives this holiday season.