10Things I want my daughters to believe
Yes- I want my son to know and believe this blog post too, but I wrote it for my girls. In fact, it was written before Camden was even born. I don't remember what sparked this post, but I came across a handwritten list of things for an intended blog post from 3 years ago-just a couple days ago. And, since it's been a while..... I thought it seemed appropriate to post while I have a 30 minute break in the day.
Mariana and Myah,
You are not an object. No one owns you or your body. You are a complex, wonderfully made being with a value higher than any conceivable price. In today's world, being a woman does not predispose you to any particular career, status, or standard. Anyone who acts differently is just perpetuating a dying culture that is not worth any of your energy or attention.
Love is an intentional choice. Therefore, choose your partner carefully. Ensure that he honors and respects you, and encourages you to be who you were created to be. Don't be fooled into believing that loving is just a feeling (whether it be a spouse, friend, child, stranger). We are humans and feelings come and go.... but love my darlings is an active choice. So choose it.
Marriage is not disposable.It is a holy sacrament. Society may tell you that divorce is always OK. The truth is, it is an ugly beast that you do not want to invite into your life. Lives are changed forever. It is ALWAYS painful. Therefore, PLEASE do not take it lightly.
Happiness is also a choice. Things..... and even people won't give it to you. If you look externally for happiness you will always end up disappointed, worried, or even depressed. You CAN build your own joy in most any circumstance, especially if you use your faith in God as your driving force.
It is never OK for someone to hurt you. Physically, emotionally, or otherwise. "No" means "No". You are valuable. You are loved..... more than you could possibly understand in your sweet minds.
Choose an occupation that fulfills you. Whether that be a lawyer, a stay-at-home mother, an artist, a teacher, a musician..... whatever! Let this occupation be a way for Jesus to shine through you. Spend a lot of time exploring yourself and contemplating how you can make a difference. Please do not fall into a belief that making more money will make you happier.
The grass is greener where you water it. This applies to self-improvement, marriage and family, and nearly all relationships. The moment you turn your eyes from what is important to you, you open a door to a doubt that some thing or someone is not good enough. This is an exercise in being content-with WHAT you have, WHO you do life with and also with YOURSELF. So please, "water" the garden filled with the important flowers in life.
Being content does not have to equal to being stagnant, cautious, lazy, or passive. Be an evolving person-embrace change and strive to be a perpetual learner of things. Be adaptable, be adventurous and take meaningful chances. Do not live in fear or hide from opportunities.
Be disciplined in maintaining your belief system, and do not let the media influence this. Half of what your eyes see and ears hear is probably not true. Models are photo-shopped (heck-even wedding photos are), news can be fabricated, and people are flawed. There are no perfect people, including you. The most important source of truth in your life is your Bible. People will definitely challenge this belief simply because they do not understand it. If you let the Holy Spirit be your guide you will FEEL this truth and you can change lives through love... the Yaweh kind.
Have virtue. Be authentic, honest, creative, hopeful, and never ever lose your wonder!
I love you sweet girls.
My favorite Myah quote of the week;
M: "Mom, I don't really want Hillary Clinton to win the election."
Me: "Why not, sweetie?"
M: "Well, because then I could be the first female president!"
Me: "I feel like I just won parenthood. You are awesome, kid!"
Mariana and Myah,
You are not an object. No one owns you or your body. You are a complex, wonderfully made being with a value higher than any conceivable price. In today's world, being a woman does not predispose you to any particular career, status, or standard. Anyone who acts differently is just perpetuating a dying culture that is not worth any of your energy or attention.
Love is an intentional choice. Therefore, choose your partner carefully. Ensure that he honors and respects you, and encourages you to be who you were created to be. Don't be fooled into believing that loving is just a feeling (whether it be a spouse, friend, child, stranger). We are humans and feelings come and go.... but love my darlings is an active choice. So choose it.
Marriage is not disposable.It is a holy sacrament. Society may tell you that divorce is always OK. The truth is, it is an ugly beast that you do not want to invite into your life. Lives are changed forever. It is ALWAYS painful. Therefore, PLEASE do not take it lightly.
Happiness is also a choice. Things..... and even people won't give it to you. If you look externally for happiness you will always end up disappointed, worried, or even depressed. You CAN build your own joy in most any circumstance, especially if you use your faith in God as your driving force.
It is never OK for someone to hurt you. Physically, emotionally, or otherwise. "No" means "No". You are valuable. You are loved..... more than you could possibly understand in your sweet minds.
Choose an occupation that fulfills you. Whether that be a lawyer, a stay-at-home mother, an artist, a teacher, a musician..... whatever! Let this occupation be a way for Jesus to shine through you. Spend a lot of time exploring yourself and contemplating how you can make a difference. Please do not fall into a belief that making more money will make you happier.
The grass is greener where you water it. This applies to self-improvement, marriage and family, and nearly all relationships. The moment you turn your eyes from what is important to you, you open a door to a doubt that some thing or someone is not good enough. This is an exercise in being content-with WHAT you have, WHO you do life with and also with YOURSELF. So please, "water" the garden filled with the important flowers in life.
Being content does not have to equal to being stagnant, cautious, lazy, or passive. Be an evolving person-embrace change and strive to be a perpetual learner of things. Be adaptable, be adventurous and take meaningful chances. Do not live in fear or hide from opportunities.
Be disciplined in maintaining your belief system, and do not let the media influence this. Half of what your eyes see and ears hear is probably not true. Models are photo-shopped (heck-even wedding photos are), news can be fabricated, and people are flawed. There are no perfect people, including you. The most important source of truth in your life is your Bible. People will definitely challenge this belief simply because they do not understand it. If you let the Holy Spirit be your guide you will FEEL this truth and you can change lives through love... the Yaweh kind.
Have virtue. Be authentic, honest, creative, hopeful, and never ever lose your wonder!
I love you sweet girls.
My favorite Myah quote of the week;
M: "Mom, I don't really want Hillary Clinton to win the election."
Me: "Why not, sweetie?"
M: "Well, because then I could be the first female president!"
Me: "I feel like I just won parenthood. You are awesome, kid!"
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