At some point in our lives, we sometimes need that bit of inspiration. Last week Thursday (10 May precisely) after work, I trawled through a book shop and on a whim, picked up an autobiography of Miss Streisand. It is called 'Her name is Barbra' by Randall Riese. It is labelled as an intimate portrait of the real Barbra Streisand. Funnily enough, the whole week Miss Streisand was on my mind and her Essential collection was in my CD player.

I cannot say whether the content of the book is 100% accurate or not, but I was mighty inspired by Ms Streisand character. She is a woman who early on and especially when it was not fashionably so, found her own 'voice'...yes pun intended.

You see, we live in a world where women suffer on a daily basis from sexism. We take so much abuse from parents, friends, partners, employers, colleagues and at times the governments we vote in. To be honest, I am surprised that I have lived to this age (33), but many a times, I thought of throwing in the towel.

The book I read, made me to listen to her lyrics even closer as I now understand how much love and work she poured into making those records. She had her own voice and yes people were intimidated because she knew exactly what was right for her. It is her career, it is her gift, it is her life and who better to define it but Ms Streisand herself.

I am currently dealing with a break up from a terrible partner. He continues to torment my soul, but everyday I know I grow stronger. I have confronted by parents this weekend because they have also been such unspportive my whole life, mainly because they wanted to silence my voice. Their treatment left terrible scars on my soul, and now I want to move on.

I have an 11 year old son and 14 months old baby girl. They are the reason I need to heal and move forward. Therefore Ms Streisand, thank you for reminding me again that though it is difficult at times, I must never give up on me. I only have one life, and that is a blessing enough.

I wish you all the best.

Mareka
Pretoria, Gauteng Province, South Africa