4.
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forward. People and indeed situations can only
take from you what you permit. No more no less.
9. Embrace setbacks as part of the journey to
greatness. There are valuable lessons that we
learn from setbacks if we are paying attention and
embracing the process that are valuable and help
us attain and maintain success. Our character is
developed during a setback in a way that it can
never be developed during a winning season.
Setbacks toughen us and help us build resilience,
which is necessary for success. And in a season of
setback we can identify what is truly important
and be grateful for it.
10. Great women weather the storms of life.
Therefore great women are survivors. Shania
Twain survived a traumatic childhood, she
survived a disease that almost caused her to
lose her voice, she survived a hiatus that lasted
well over a decade, she survived the betrayal of
her husband who cheated on her with her good
friend, and she survived divorce. She weathered
the storms and she came out on top. You can do
likewise.
11. Great women are positive and see good in adverse
situations. And I believe this is one reason they
can weather the storms of life. Shania never
reported her stepfather or the harmful situation
in her home because even at a young age, she
could see the positive in the adverse situation, she
realised that they needed each other and should
remain together for better or worse. Being able to
see the silver lining in every situation is so crucial
as it helps us to be grateful and not to be hasty
in making decisions that might take us from the
frypan and into the fire.
12. Great women are steadfast. Shania Twain
demonstrated steadfastness from a young age.
She did not report her stepfather’s abuse, but
more importantly, she also never acknowledged
her biological father publicly as she thought it
was not proper to acknowledge a man who had
not been there for her paying bills, putting a roof
over her head, food on the table, etc. She was
committed and steadfast. She was also grateful.
Her stepfather may not have been the best father
in the world but she knew he had done what her
biological father had failed to do.
13. Great women are an inspiration to other women.
Their story sends across a simple but powerful
message to other women. One that says, if I can,
so can you. Shania Twain survived a childhood
full of trauma, a marriage mixed with betrayal
and heartbreak, and went from poverty to best-
selling female artist in country music history;
anything is possible for you.
was always a shortage of food supply could not
have been easy. Being raised by a stepfather
who abused her physically, psychologically, and
sexually could not have been easy. Shania Twain
could have reported the situation at home to the
authorities but she chose not to because she was
thinking not just about herself but about other
members of her family and how the breakup of
the family would impact each member. She made
a sacrifice to hold the family together; to maintain
the status quo.
Great leaders are selfless. We see Shania display
selflessness repeatedly. When she declined to
report the abusive behaviour of her stepfather,
when she refused to report the inability of her
parents to provide adequately for the home, she
was selfless. When she returned home to care
for her siblings, putting her dreams on hold in
the process, she was selfless. Selflessness is vital
to relational success, and it is a fundamental
ingredient for business and or career success.
Talent is a gift that brings us fulfilment and helps
us escape our current reality. Shania Twain, in
the midst of hunger, violence, and abuse, took
refuge in her ability to sing and write songs. This
gift helped distract her; it helped her escape
momentarily from the reality of her situation. Our
giftings and talents are needful, necessary and
helpful in escaping our reality.
It is okay to dream, just for the sake of dreaming.
It is okay to escape your current reality to
maintain your sanity. Great leaders know that
sometimes they must flee or retreat in other to
win another day. We have been told to go beyond
dreaming to bringing our dreams to fruition, but
I think that it is okay to dream just for the sake
of dreaming; even if you are unable to bring that
dream to fruition, daydream to maintain your
sanity.
Great leaders know that their gifts will make
room for them. The gift Shania had from a young
age helped her support her family. It eventually
brought her out of poverty. Don’t ignore your gifts
and talents, as they have the power to bring you
out of frustration and hardship.
Life happens, understand this, and don’t take it
personally. Sometimes when all is going well,
life throws you curve balls. This is a truth that
pertains to everybody and is not unique to you.
On the verge of a breakthrough, Shania Twain lost
her parents and had to abandon her dream. She
experienced fame, and then an illness caused her
to take a hiatus for over a decade. She got married
and her husband betrayed her by having an
affair with her good friend. But she kept moving
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DOZ Magazine | January 2020