Never Been a Better Time to Be a Woman…

“We have opportunities and possibilities which no other generation of women has had in the world.”
-Bonnie Oscarson (Young Women’s General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
…
“The internet is one of the best things to ever happen to women.”
-Julie de Azevedo Hanks
…
“The world’s greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ.”
-James Talmage (oh no! can’t take him seriously ‘cuz he’s male, right?!)
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“[We are experiencing] the most female-friendly society in human history.”
-Ben Shapiro (him too?! What is with all these privileged cis-gendered men celebrating women?)
…

There has never been a better time to be a woman.
And I’m pretty proud to be one myself 🙂

(PS: I know sexism still exists on some levels. I know there are struggles unique to women. I know, I know, I know)

Not All People Are Good (A Sonnet to Betrayers)

                                                                                 

One of life’s most brutal truths
is that not everyone wants what’s best for you
We want to believe all people are kind
But sadly, not all have our best interest in mind
…
Some are simply negligent
but others aren’t so innocent
I pray you won’t, but you could be blindsided
By someone who love and in whom you’ve confided
…
My charcoal heart that I can’t ignore
‘Cuz I’ve been burned before
A casual betrayal out of the blue
Don’t be surprised if it happens to you, too
..
No matter what good you want to believe
Be not deceived; don’t be naive
Be careful who you trust, and be judicious with who you love
Might even be someone you’d do well to rid yourself of
…
And then never lose hold
of those friends who are gold
…

PS: This isn’t a passive-aggressive sonnet to anyone 🙂
PPS: 2 JM quotes. Did you find them?

Playing on a Word: Freedom

“We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”
-Martin Luther King Jr.
…
“More freedom from earth-stains; more longing for home.”
-“More Holiness Give Me” (Hymn #131)
…
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
-Ronald Reagan
…
“Freedom? That’s just some people talking…”
-The Eagles
…
“I like my freedom, and I don’t need him.
But I like when he’s near, so I’ll stay right here”
-Yours Truly (part of a poem I wrote a while ago)
…

Freedom
…

What freedoms do YOU enjoy?

Deal With Conflict DIRECTLY!

If you have (figurative!) beef with someone, talk about it with him/her directly, not with other people.
…
[Wo]Man up if necessary, then take your grievances to the original source.
…

“And if thy brother or sister offend thee, thou shalt take him or her between him or her and thee alone…” 

                                                                          -Doctrine & Covenants 42:88
…

SAY WHAT YOU NEED TO SAY!
…

getting off soapbox now  🙂

“Choose not to insult others or put them down, even in joking.

Avoid gossip of any kind.”

–For the Strength of Youth

…

PS: I deeply dislike “Mean Girls,” Read here for why.

Playing on a Word: Trust

“[M]y heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.”
-2nd Nephi 4:19 (in the Book of Mormon)
…
“You gave her your trust, then she busted your crown.”
-John Mayer (love this line!!!)
…
“Love all, trust few, do wrong to none.”
-The Countess in Shakespeare’s “All’s Well That Ends Well”
…
Trust the Lord. He is the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep, and His sheep know His voice.”
-Russell Ballard (member of the Quorum of the 12 of TCOJCOLDS)
…

Trust

❤ “I don’t trust myself with loving you”  ❤ 

American Women Have Got It Good: A Poem

All this “Girl Power!” crap is getting kinda old.
Tired of propaganda and the things that I’m told.
Not saying these expressions should be completely disavowed.
But even the truth can be shouted too loud.
…
There’s so much unearned sense of moral superiority.
Trying to give voice to justice and “gender minorities.”
Yes, it’s important, and I suppose it has its place
But some join in the din just to try and save face.
…
I’ve found that (some) feminists just want to blame
Yet they say that *we’re* the culprits who cause women shame
And that “Ban Bossy” campaign? You cannot be serious.
Celebrities trying to “ban” a word is nothing short of ridiculous.
…
Guess what, ladies? We’ve got it amazingly good.
Think things might be different if we truly understood
the plight of REAL gender inequality around the world
Like when evil men kidnap innocent girls
…
American women can by and large live as we please
There’s not any man that I have to appease
I can work, I can worship, I have rights, I can drive
There are so many females who’d kill for our lives.
…
Now don’t call me ungrateful or say I’m naive.
Don’t presume to tell me the things I believe
There’s nothing in history I’m apt to ignore
And yes, I’m grateful for those who’ve gone before
…
In 2015, I don’t have to sit and be quiet
But I also don’t have to throw an “Empowerment” riot.
So please stop agitating so much and giving society flack.
If we’re really to be equal, then maybe we can dial it back?
…
And truth be told, at least from where I stand
I don’t mind a little extra attention from a man.
I’m an intellectual equal, but my lashes are longer.
And I’m okay that he’s faster and physically stronger
…
True, I throw like a girl, and yes, my push-ups are subpar.
And if I run with a male, I’ll never make it as far.
But that’s just how it is, no need to decry it.
Men have more strength, why try to deny it?
…
So if we really want true equality
let’s stop with these frivolities.
Women AND men are awesome, that should suffice.
Now can we *please* just get on with life?
🙂

“Like most women, I reject the feminist label.

And yes, I’ve read the dictionary definition, thanks.

I judge it by its actions instead.”

–Julie Borowski (love, love, LOVE her! ❤ )

How Shame Thrives, and How It Dies

How Shame Thrives, and How It Dies:

“If you put shame in a petri dish, it needs three ingredients to grow exponentially: secrecy, silence, and judgment. If you put the same amount of shame in the petri dish and douse it with empathy, it can’t survive.”

-Brené Brown (she changed my life!)

…
(“In the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can’t see.”)
…

SAY WHAT YOU NEED TO SAY! 🙂

“For I am not ashamed…”

-Romans 1:16 (in the New Testament in the Bible)

Shame can thrive, but I can make it die. 

🙂

A mighty change of heart…

“Have you experienced this mighty change in your hearts?”
-Alma 5:14 (in the Book of Mormon)
…

Some changes of heart are dramatic, some are more subtle, but no matter the degree, in the words of James Faust (former 2nd counselor of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; deceased):
…

“The Power to Change is very Real.”

(Text-to-Self Connection):

When have YOU experienced a change of heart?
…

(“…a change of heart comes slow.” -U2)
…

PS: The woman on the bottom left is Norma McCorvey, aka “Jane Roe” of the infamous Roe vs. Wade. Once a staunch supporter of abortion “rights,” she experienced a mighty change of heart and is now Pro-LIFE!

“Quiet Your Mind, and Go to Your Grove” (a poem)

“The sublime vision comes to the pure and simple soul

 in a clean and chaste body.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson 
…

When I’m searching for answers, and wrestling for truth
I’ve found there’s a pattern of things I must do
My insight comes usually not when I’m kneeling
But after cultivating calm, then receiving a feeling
…
Distractions are so loud, but the truth is more discreet
The Spirit’s never really been in business to compete
So shut off your screen, and put down your phone
Quiet your mind, and go to your grove
…
If you first clear your head, then take time to ruminate
You’ll pave the way for the truth to illuminate
Treasure up continually the words of life in your mind
And then when you need them, they’re right there for you to find
(You had the answers the whole time!)
…
To cultivate creativity
To truly live whole-heartedly
This is what I do and how I must I be
To hear the words God speaks to me

…

“[T]reasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour…”

 

      -Doctrine & Covenants 84:85

(borrowed a few lines from this masterpiece)