Act like a Lady. Think like a Man

Steve Harvey was a guest on Oprah to talk about his book “Act Like a Lady. Think Like a Man.” What’s it all about? Dominique Masson interprets...

I got home on a rare Friday afternoon in time to catch Oprah. I made a cup of green tea and sat on the couch.

The credits roll and… it was one of my least favourite segments of Oprah: Friday Live or something like that. Where she has her best friend Gayle and two other celebs commenting on stuff that often is very American. However something catches my attention before I switch off the TV (to check Facebook of course).

Funnyman Steve Harvey is due on the show to talk about his book Act like a Lady. Think like a Man

Immediately I flash back to his typical movies. Yes, he is a funny man, but what does he know about this subject? In a lot of his movies he is, well, a bit of a player.

At first I think the title is a bit sexist

 Think like a man? What is he saying? I am NOT going to think like a man! Most of them drive me batty! I am intrigued! What is this man going to come up with? So I watch.

I am struck by his funniness as he talks to Oprah and Gayle (the other schlebs are off filming something or other, you know, as one does).

Women have lowered their standards

But, as I listen, his at first comedic brashness reveals some pearls of wisdom that strike home.

Paraphrasing I am because it is Sunday and I haven’t yet had time to buy and read his book, the gist is: Women have dropped their standards.

At first as I heard this I was aghast. “No we haven’t!” I thought. “Look at what women are achieving!” was another thought. As I listened further to his reasoning my opinion changed.

Perhaps we have dropped the bar in some respects. Let me explain:

Today women are able to do anything. We can change a tyre (perhaps only in theory), we can run conglomerates, boards, companies and still raise and care for families.

Never before have women been so able to write the script of their lives in such totality. Not just a mother, wife and daughter, we can also be the boss, the politician, the groundbreaker, the scientist, and the researcher and still retain that wonderful feminine essence that is so precious and unique.

Or do we?

We have raised the bar in terms of access to ambition and personal fulfillment but dropped the bar when it comes to men

This is the gist of what Steve Harvey was saying.

How often do we settle for less than what we want? We make excuses for bad behaviour.

“Shame, he has baggage…” “He hasn’t had an easy life so I can expect that he might not be as emotionally available as I need…” “And then deeper down: “Maybe he is as good as it gets. I can’t risk throwing this away. What if...?”

Funnyman Steve Harvey says “No! Raise the bar!”

If a man is worth you he will rise to meet the challenge. Don’t drop your standards out of fear.” And I think that is so important.

I am all for having an awesome and adventurous single life until someone comes along that is willing to meet my expectations. We all deserve that!

Author info: Dominique Masson

Dominique is a Creative Producer and scriptwriter for Viva Hecate Productions, a company specializing in Edutainment. She has a passion for empowering people to reach their dreams and realize that anything is always possible. Writing and the work she does at Viva Hecate Productions allows her to express this passion and hopefully inspire and motivate! Www.vivahecate.com or email her at Dominique@vivahecate.com.