mysterious {womanly}

I've been thinking a lot lately about the feminine mystique, what constitutes as "true womanhood," and what it means to be female in today's society.  I am troubled by the fact that I see women around me denying (yes denying) their true nature.  Why is this?  Perhaps we are being undervalued in our society.  I am saddened to think that now days a woman is valued only on her appearance and her paycheck.  It seems you are only "okay" if you manage to fit into a size two and pull in a six figure salary with a home on the golf course.

Women are incredibly smart.  I hate to even go and say this, but we are pretty good at making it work, and we can get what we want out of men, too.  And since we're on the subject of men I am interested in their reaction to women as well.  Sometimes I honestly wonder, why are they so funny with us?  A friend of mine (unnamed) was telling me, "I just wish the girl would say, 'snuggle with me,' and then I'd go for it."  There are two problems with this a) It puts us out of our comfort zone to make the first move b) don't be so lazy. 

I see my value as a woman in the way I choose to act in public, the friends I care for, my service to others, being an example of making mistakes (we always make them) and then dusting myself off and getting up again for round 1,008.  Like you, I am trying my very best and am okay with failure at times.  Perfection is boring.

I am thankful that I am a member of a very different generation.  The women of my era are very unique, and seem to be quite forthright about embracing their womanhood. 

Dress from Shabby Apple, purchased at 9:40pm.  Thank you credit card.

Comments

[Teresa]

Well said..."I love being a girl"

[Tonya]

Amen!

[Lisa Brown]

Well said! I notice the same thing. It even goes so far that some women are ashamed to be mothers.

I am so grateful to be a woman! I am grateful for the special gifts I have been blessed with because of that, and although I fall short of my potential so much of the time, I am doing my best :).

[heidi]

i agree whole heartedly, i feel the world would be a better place if most women in the world were able to stay home (which many women can not... i understand that) to take care of their husband and children. there wouldn't be as many problems because children would have some dicipline from the begining of their life and grow up to be good people...for the most part!

[Miss M!]

I'm curious... what do you see as being a woman's "true" nature? Also, couldn't one say that to say that all women must conform to their "true nature" or they must be denying it is akin to certain forms of prejudice? Like, if you're a woman, THIS is your TRUE nature, if you're (blank) then THIS is your true nature...

Not trying to be critical, just wondering and opening up a dialogue.

s

[shannon]

YOU are a smart girl.

I often get frustrated with women who try to distance themselves from their feminine nature -- as if that would make them appear weak or boring. Women who try to be "just like the guys". That is not what the world needs.

A favorite general conference talk of mine on this subject -- by Margaret D. Nadauld, from October 2000 general conference (or Nov. 2000 Ensign), titled "The Joy of Womanhood". Here's what she says:
"The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

[EK]

Hey I bought that dress too! I'm sure it will look much different on you than on me! ;)