This post is part of the Beauty of a Woman BlogFest VI! To read more entries, and potentially win a fun prize, visit the fest page on August’s McLaughlin’s site between today, March 6 and 11pm PST March 11th.
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." — John Keats
I've been thinking a lot about truth lately...And I am probably not the only one... In an age when words and phrases like "truthiness" and "alternate facts" have been coined, we find ourselves pondering the meaning of words like truth. I believe we know, deep down, when things are true, in the same way we know when things (and people) are beautiful. It is an innate sense humans have.
So what makes a person beautiful? Honesty. I don't mean that a woman can't wear makeup, dye her hair, or even have plastic surgery, if she desires that. I am talking about the difference between being who you are—and you know who that is—and being something that other people or "society" tell you you should be.
I don't know you, so I have no idea who in your life is trying to alter the way you speak, believe, move, look, love, or even make love. But, unfortunately, if you are a woman, I can almost guarantee that someone is.
So, what to do?
Not everyone is cut out to be a rebel or an activist. But each person in this world can take a stand for their true selves, even if it is simply holding fast—continuing to believe what they believe, or love who they love, in the face of oppression and hatred. And, who knows? Perhaps taking that internal stand will lead her to express herself or resist in another more tangible way, or help another woman to do so, and that is how worldwide change begins. As the saying goes "Well-behaved women seldom make history."
And remember, if people in your life are embarrassed, appalled, or upset by who you are, or how you choose to act, then it is time to think hard about whether they are supporting your true potential, or if they are trying to mold you into their idea of who you should be.
Be your true self and be a truly beautiful woman.
hasta pronto!
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm the daughter of a mother with a Narcissistic Personality Disorder. My entire life I have never been good enough, beautiful enough, nice, friendly or shiny enough... It took me years of fighting to be independent and myself and I still fight every single day, as long as my mother lives and thinks she still has power over me. But I am who I am and I won't let anyone set limits to me.
ReplyDeleteAurora, I'm impressed that you are able to have your NPD mother in your life. I had to cut my NPD father out long ago. My motto: My happiness is the best antidote for a childhood like that. Every day I reach for my happy is a day I am free. Go, you!
DeleteI love this, Jennifer - such a timely post.
ReplyDeleteThis gave me chills because it is, sadly, so so true:
"I don't know you, so I have no idea who in your life is trying to alter the way you speak, believe, move, look, love, or even make love. But, unfortunately, if you are a woman, I can almost guarantee that someone is."
Here's to (re)discovering and fighting for our true selves. I think it's one of the most important stepping stones to helping others.
I'm not a resister. I'm a stand-for-er. I'd so much rather stand for what I am and what I believe than go to battle. Coming from a volatile environment where I was never sure where the next explosion would come from, but always sure that it would, I do so much better simply taking a stand and living it.
ReplyDeleteFrom radical unschooling to writing about those abuses, to approaching the current strange times from a place of logic and compassion, I stand for who and what I am.
And you're right. There are definitely those who would rather I "sit down, shut up, and get with the program."
It's just that I have other ideas! =D
Go, Jennifer! Truest phrase: "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Standing for honesty is valiant and strong and BEAUTIFUL. :-)
ReplyDeleteTruth and honesty--these shouldn't be so difficult to express. I've had an interesting journey rediscovering who I am, and I've decided that I'm unapologetic about being me now. Now, more than ever, we need to be alert to other influences that try to shape us into something else. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI so agree! Living your truth allows your beauty to shine! Great post...
ReplyDeleteThrush. Such an awesome super power. Love your encouragement to us all to live our truths!
ReplyDeleteAfter years of wondering about the truth, I have given up and decided all I want is some good chocolate! On a serious note - good blog, real truths here. So it is beautiful....thank you....now, for some chocolate...
ReplyDeleteMuch impressed by this article.
ReplyDeleteComprare Patente B
fuhrerschein-kaufen
Thanks for sharing.