It is, by far, one of the best (if not the best) posts on Feminism I have ever read. It explains so succinctly and perfectly how I, me, yours truly feels about Feminism.
I loved this, it reminded me of a class I took in college about the History of Women in America. The point of which was that women have always worked, have always had influence, and, to some extent, power. And a Feminist was merely someone that believed men and women should get paid the same amount for the same job. No more, no less, no strings, no agendas, -- just a simple statement. I loved it! It never said that a Feminist had to be someone that believed women shouldn't be at home, or that women had to work, or that you believed women had been oppressed or that men were bad, etc. I recently did a presentation on the History of RS using several quotes from past General RS sisters and one thing that kept striking me was how powerful the women felt and that they believed that the women could do anything. They never viewed themselves as oppressed, and when they did it was not the fault of men. I loved that idea that we as women are in control of our destiny and not men and the power we as women can have in our families. Something that the world would tell us is of little value. They believed that they had a responsibility to take care of their families and relieve suffering in the world. They believed they could change the way things were and they didn't have to do it at the expense of their families but that by so doing they would strengthen their families. The power and influence of women is so great and I think society has told us for so long that we are weak and we must change in order to have power. But by so doing, I think we are, in fact, losing it. When you are like everyone else, why would anyone listen to what you have to say.
I also have to say that this post (not mine, the one I linked to) has really got me excited! It's so common to see women today focusing on how to get more out of their lives by searching for it OUTSIDE of their families, homes, marriage, kids, etc. I'm grateful that for most of us, we are beginning to realize that to get more out of our lives, we need to focus inward towards our families, homes, kids, and marriages.
I LOVE being a woman. And I love motherhood! Today was such an example to me of what it means: chores, birthday parties, friends coming to play, movies, taking my kids out to eat, running errands, and bath time/bed time. To the world it is mundane. But this is my job, my purpose. I'm building something eternal here!
Thank you for this. I read it yesterday before church and it really got me thinking. I agree with her and am totally grateful to be a mother and raising the next generations.
"It's so common to see women today focusing on how to get more out of their lives by searching for it OUTSIDE of their families, homes, marriage, kids, etc. I'm grateful that for most of us, we are beginning to realize that to get more out of our lives, we need to focus inward towards our families, homes, kids, and marriages."
I love the simplicity of this statement. What I wonder is (and there is no "but" to this) is how to put my divine responsibilities as a wife/mother as primary while still striving to magnify my own talents -- or even discovering them? I don't know if that makes sense.....
Laura, I totally know what you are talking about. If anything, I think women need to understand that their unique talents (past, present, future) are exactly what our children NEED from us! We can use them in ways we never thought we could when kids are in the picture.
For me, I've had to realize that writing a novel just isn't going to work in this season of my life. However, I did take the time to attend week-long workshops and hone my writing skills by writing some things, hashing out some poetry, and keeping up with this blog.
I thought my music would be a central part of my life, but a year ago, I finally quit teaching piano lessons, which, ironically, has made me a better musician for my kids (I know this doesn't make much sense, but stick with me). I have more time to focus on THEIR music lessons and needs because I'm not focused on other kids.
Women who choose to take the time to garden, sew, bake, dance, sing, write, serve, run, hike, paint, etc. really are better mothers. The trick is to find out where and how they need to happen --to know that we all have many seasons in our lives (many, many) and sometimes, we have to choose carefully.
I've discovered that it just means to have a constant stream of communication with heaven to make sure that I'm always doing what I need to be.
And this makes me sound like I have it all figured out and that I'm some kind of righteous person and what-not, but believe you me, I'm really bad at this stuff! Which is why I talk about it all the time. :)
7 comments:
Ha ha - I totally just read that. Well, a couple hours ago, but i keep thinking about it. good stuff.
I loved this, it reminded me of a class I took in college about the History of Women in America. The point of which was that women have always worked, have always had influence, and, to some extent, power. And a Feminist was merely someone that believed men and women should get paid the same amount for the same job. No more, no less, no strings, no agendas, -- just a simple statement. I loved it! It never said that a Feminist had to be someone that believed women shouldn't be at home, or that women had to work, or that you believed women had been oppressed or that men were bad, etc. I recently did a presentation on the History of RS using several quotes from past General RS sisters and one thing that kept striking me was how powerful the women felt and that they believed that the women could do anything. They never viewed themselves as oppressed, and when they did it was not the fault of men. I loved that idea that we as women are in control of our destiny and not men and the power we as women can have in our families. Something that the world would tell us is of little value. They believed that they had a responsibility to take care of their families and relieve suffering in the world. They believed they could change the way things were and they didn't have to do it at the expense of their families but that by so doing they would strengthen their families. The power and influence of women is so great and I think society has told us for so long that we are weak and we must change in order to have power. But by so doing, I think we are, in fact, losing it. When you are like everyone else, why would anyone listen to what you have to say.
Natalie, right on! Oh, and thanks for the email. :)
I also have to say that this post (not mine, the one I linked to) has really got me excited! It's so common to see women today focusing on how to get more out of their lives by searching for it OUTSIDE of their families, homes, marriage, kids, etc. I'm grateful that for most of us, we are beginning to realize that to get more out of our lives, we need to focus inward towards our families, homes, kids, and marriages.
I LOVE being a woman. And I love motherhood! Today was such an example to me of what it means: chores, birthday parties, friends coming to play, movies, taking my kids out to eat, running errands, and bath time/bed time. To the world it is mundane. But this is my job, my purpose. I'm building something eternal here!
Thank you for this. I read it yesterday before church and it really got me thinking. I agree with her and am totally grateful to be a mother and raising the next generations.
"It's so common to see women today focusing on how to get more out of their lives by searching for it OUTSIDE of their families, homes, marriage, kids, etc. I'm grateful that for most of us, we are beginning to realize that to get more out of our lives, we need to focus inward towards our families, homes, kids, and marriages."
I love the simplicity of this statement. What I wonder is (and there is no "but" to this) is how to put my divine responsibilities as a wife/mother as primary while still striving to magnify my own talents -- or even discovering them? I don't know if that makes sense.....
Laura,
I totally know what you are talking about. If anything, I think women need to understand that their unique talents (past, present, future) are exactly what our children NEED from us! We can use them in ways we never thought we could when kids are in the picture.
For me, I've had to realize that writing a novel just isn't going to work in this season of my life. However, I did take the time to attend week-long workshops and hone my writing skills by writing some things, hashing out some poetry, and keeping up with this blog.
I thought my music would be a central part of my life, but a year ago, I finally quit teaching piano lessons, which, ironically, has made me a better musician for my kids (I know this doesn't make much sense, but stick with me). I have more time to focus on THEIR music lessons and needs because I'm not focused on other kids.
Women who choose to take the time to garden, sew, bake, dance, sing, write, serve, run, hike, paint, etc. really are better mothers. The trick is to find out where and how they need to happen --to know that we all have many seasons in our lives (many, many) and sometimes, we have to choose carefully.
I've discovered that it just means to have a constant stream of communication with heaven to make sure that I'm always doing what I need to be.
And this makes me sound like I have it all figured out and that I'm some kind of righteous person and what-not, but believe you me, I'm really bad at this stuff! Which is why I talk about it all the time. :)
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