Modestly Yours

The Quiet Revolution

Not a moment too soon, we have some good news.   Townhall.com calls it The Quiet Revolution. What revolution, you ask? The one we are a part of. The movement that's gaining momentum across colleges, inspiring young men and women to say NO ( I think it can be in a loud voice) to the hookup culture.

Thank you Wendy, for leading the way. When I read The Good Girl Revolution (when it first came out in hardcover, as Girls Gone Mild), I was so moved by this generation of girls and young women, standing up for themselves and their conviction that there has to be more to life and love than what the media and popular culture were screaming.

The critics may be skeptical but the medical community is reporting the rampant number of STDs, increase in suicides and depression among sexually active teens and adults. Of course, the media rarely covers the facts-- for instance, that condoms only offer limited protection against several STDs such as the HPV virus.

To all you revolutionaries out there : No,you're not crazy. And you're not alone. There is a lot to be gained by believing that you deserve better - your life might just depend on it. 

The Marriage Warrior

I came across this article a few weeks ago and its message continues to resonate. Laura Munson is a journalist who wrote an article about her marriage in the NY Times last summer and the readers' responses were so powerful, they overwhelmed its website. Here's the original article:

Laura's story is about surviving the crisis that occurred in her marriage and how she and her family triumphed. Rather than being a victim, she stuck to her conviction that the years of work and pleasure in her marriage were not going to be so easily erased. It may seem unusual to tell her spouse that he can take the time he needs to work through his issues, but I found her story really empowering. Laura's experience resulted in her writing a book. Here's her homepage:

My husband and I will be celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary this June and I can honestly say that the relationship keeps getting better! The personal development and incredible rewards that occur when two people grow together and work through life's challenges is rich beyond words and worth fighting for!

What Were They Thinking?

I just came across an article about tobacco candy. News to me.

As it says near the end of the article, you have to get the brain hooked when they're young. I don't sense much remorse in this industry, but then again, if we look at the fast food industry, they're no better.

The tobacco guys argue that it's marketed to adults. Oh.....so, Johnny can watch Mommy or Daddy suck on some carcinogenic, addictive substance and be unaffected? Hey Johnny, hide mom and dad's candy or better yet...throw it out!

Teachers Aren't Role Models?

I've been mulling over this one for a long time....during a school rally recently, two teachers at a Winnipeg high school performed a lewd dance and simulated a variety of inappropriate acts; we know this because they were caught on film by a student's camera. The clip went viral...and here I am, writing about it. I have decided against including the clip because I feel that in doing so, I perpetuate the sensationalization of behaviour that we, in this forum are against. So why write about it then? 

Take a look at this article discussing the role of teachers in our society. I don't agree with the reporter's conclusions, which seem to be that since the students, in his opinion, weren't harmed, the teachers should not be fired.

He further states that "educational theorists have argued that teachers and education in general, does not set moral standards, rather, they simply imitate what those standards are in a society...."

I disagree. Whether teachers like it or not, they are students' role models. They have the potential to inspire their students to great heights, to shape and mold character as well as intellect and they have the power to inflict damage as well. We all have memories of those special teachers who lent an ear, taught with passion and humor and engaged us. Assuming positions of leadership, which teachers hold, should be encouraged and they, in turn, should be held accountable.

It's an awesome responsibility - whether they like it or not.

The Inner Voice

A year after the birth of my oldest daughter, I found myself struggling to establish healthy sleep patterns. Since I was nursing, it seemed logical enough to consult with a nursing advocacy group and hear what they had to say. They had one answer for me : a family bed. I was not interested. The problem, they said, must be with me - I should do some soul-searching and discover what I had against family beds. I was disappointed in that answer because it was ignoring my voice, my instinct, that was saying that I needed more space. Extreme situation? Maybe.

Here's a great article about a lactation consultant who works her magic, empowering women.

This comment from a man that follows the article really angered me:

"It's a sad comment on present day life when women have to be taught to do something which Mother Nature has already given them the equipment to do."

I felt that his comments were so ignorant and simplistic. Women need support and guidance which enables them to get in touch with choosing what's best for them.

I used my experience as a lesson that I have since applied in a multitude of situations. I learned about the importance of respecting a person's ability to choose for herself what is right, and that it may differ from my own. I also came to understand how important it is to empower another.

When we deny this in a child, it can result in them not trusting their instinct, their inner voice. The consequence is that they may be at a greater risk for abuse or bullying. When we influence another by pushing our agenda, it erodes the person's confidence in herself. When society pressures us by pushing an agenda of objectification and sexualization, the voice of those who dissent and rebel is truly empowering.

When we listen and support each other in our development - emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually, we can take on the world. I believe that the greatest gift that we can give to our children and each other, is the ability to believe in oneself. I dedicate this blog to my mother. This is what she did for me and continues to do. Thanks, mom.