Mothers, Daughters, Women, Girls
February 20, 2009
This post is a little out of character for me, and I’m not sure it is in keeping with my blog theme. But… oh, well. I suppose you can complain about it in the comments. This one is for my beautiful nieces, and for all my “Single Ladies” (and the not-so-single ones too).
Rainer Maria Rilke was a poet, quite in touch with his feminine side. In his book, Letters to a Young Poet
“Someday there will be girls and women whose name will no longer mean the mere opposite of the male, but something in itself, something that makes one think not of any complement and limit, but only life and reality: the female human being.â€
I would like to say a word about being a female human being: it’s not as easy as it looks. It isn’t all sugar and spice and everything nice. It may look that way, because we have learned to carry our sorrows, anxieties, frustrations and disappointments with grace. But it can be emotionally challenging and overwhelming at times.
Why is it that women have to try so hard to be taken seriously among men? If they try too hard, why are they viewed as unwomanly and less feminine? I used to see examples of this all the time, when I was learning how to fly, and working in Corporate Finance. It must be nice… to be a man, and get to make the rules and set the standards we have to live up to. How did that happen? And why is it still that way?
I am not a feminist bra burner; I’m really not. I am a HUMANist. I believe all humans are equal, and that we all wish to avoid suffering and find happiness. But when I look at my nieces, and the little girls next door, I can’t help but feel sorry for them because I know they will not be treated equally. I’ve been there. They will not automatically be given all the same opportunities the boys have.
If you are a woman reading this, I salute you for your strength and many sacrifices. If you are a girl, I encourage you to find a woman you admire and trust, to confide in. You may need some help when things get a little challenging.
If you are a man, take another look at your wife, girlfriend, mother, daughter, or sister and try to appreciate what it takes to be her. Most likely, she does a lot; she gives a lot. And all she wants in return is to be noticed, and appreciated. Is that so much to ask?
In closing, I would like to leave you with a YouTube video of Lisa Lavie performing her heartfelt rendition of Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy.†To see this video, turn on your speakers, and click here.
Next week I’ll be back on topic, I promise: lasting happiness, inner peace, serenity, simplicity, and compassion in action. I hope to see you then.
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Lisis,
This post comes at a great time. I have been yearning for my family lately and found out they have been yearning for me too. I had a good heart to heart with my mom the other day about hardships and feelings and unloading and we both balled our eyes out. Female emotional support can be so cathartic. Sometimes few words need to be said -it’s the look in the eyes or the tone of voice that let’s you know they understand and are there for you no matter what. Female creatures are amazing. I agree it is hard to be a Woman. Reminds me of the lyrics in the song-Woman, best sung by Peggy Lee-”I am woman-W-O-M-A-N. I bring home the bacon and fry it up too.” and she goes on about how she does all this life work with “grace” and get’s up to do it all again the next day. It has become one of my milestone songs as a woman.
Love the picture too!
Your neices and sisters have a great friend in you! Me too!
I know what you mean. And I really don’t want us to come off as man-haters or anything crazy like that. Believe me, I adore my two guys! I just was feeling a Bond, with a capital B, with other women for some reason.
Lately I have “met” some amazing women on LiveJournal and twittermoms that really brought it home to me that women are SOME KIND of wonderful creature. Although it was tough for me being a teenage girl, I am loving being a woman.
So, take heart, young ladies: it gets better. One day, even those “mean girls” will probably be there for you in your times of trouble.
Thanks, Chandra!
hmmm…
It seems to me that this post was written by a thoughtful “female human being.”
Perhaps the best thing you can do for your nieces is continue to be an example of just that.
Hi, Michael! I sure do appreciate your comment and I’ll do my very best for the girls.
Thanks!
Lisis
Hi,
Rightly said all humans are equal.Even Simone de Beauvoir commented that women are not born women.They born as human beings but they are brought up as woman.It is their ‘fecundity’ feature made them women by a mechanism of continuous socio-historical process.
They have immense power within themselves that can make or break anything.But, in general,the problem lies in the fact they act or react in extremes.Normally they lack the ’serene balance’.
thanks for a nice post.
regards
If you are a man, take another look at your wife, girlfriend, mother, daughter, or sister and try to appreciate what it takes to be her. Most likely, she does a lot; she gives a lot. And all she wants in return is to be noticed, and appreciated. Is that so much to ask?
WOW!! Very powerful words…
I loved your post – Thanks for being authentically YOU.
“Here I stand, I can do no other.”
(Martin Luther)
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