Unsolicited Competition Hinders Harmony

Women are interesting creatures. (Men- you may have already observed this through both intentional and accidental surveillance.) We preach equal rights, fair treatment, and claim a spirit of deep-rooted feminism, yet, we very often are one another's achilles heel. We passively, or intentionally, compete to one-up the other with looks, talents, men, careers, and motherhood.

These uncomfortable situations occur much too frequently. They can emerge through the sensational surge of judgement we feel as we lock eyes with the woman across the gym, who we can be absolutely certain is scanning our bodies for imperfections (although our rational side recognizes that she probably is admiring our super-sassy, brand-new, smoking-hot leggings). Likewise, a relaxing outing with loved ones can turn into a huge self-criticizing experience when a totally tone, put-together, and well-rested female saunters by your table as you shuffle your rowdy child to your other knee so you can delicately inhale the last bite of that better-than-sex cake you baked for your closest girlfriend's birthday celebration.

Women (as one, I can safely say this is true) are extra-incredible specimens. We can build and maintain a home; serve as exceptional partners; co-steer meaningful monogamous relationships; create, grow, produce, and rear human life; and our multi-tasking minds can organize our workouts, families, multiple jobs, cleaning, kids' activities, partner's activities, short- and long-term goals, budget, etc. I truly believe there is nothing a determined woman cannot do!

All of that said, women frickin' rock!! We are absolutely incredible beings. Men, with all their strengths, could not possibly continue life as we know it without the divine female presence. Don't get me wrong-- men's ability to provide, gather, and produce is absolutely noteworthy! My husband, for one, is my biggest supporter. He wholeheartedly encourages me as I pursue each goal I set for myself and our family. As I plan, prepare, fail, and get back up, he is there. When I rise again in aggressive pursuit of each item on my every-growing bucket list, he is the strong man in the background shaking the pom poms and screaming into the microphone. My life would be much more challenging, less amusing, and much less lively without him in it. A genuinely accepting man is worth noting and I am grateful each day for him. xo Even as I offer that tribute to him, it goes without much debate that without women's ability to create life, raise life, and do so in such away that considers the future generational implications of these actions, the human experience would be unimaginably different.

Women in American face a unique challenge in that we have been traditionally raised to humble, gentle, considerate, and generous. However, we are now expected to also be proud, tough, ruthless in the pursuit of our desires, and unwavering in compromise for the things we deserve. I think it was sometime within this transition that we started looking at one another as competition, instead of advocates and allies. We work so hard for gender equality but, at the end of each battle, we know there is still rivalry within the ranks. Because of this, no matter how often we come together to inspire cultural change, our daily lives often include ongoing conflict with our female counterparts.

What if we just put down our swords and raised our white flags? What if we halted our nasty social media posts and ceased the destruction within our ranks? What type of unbelievable STRENGTH and POWER would the world experience if we came together as ONE?! What if we no longer allowed male-made rules/standards to dictate our worth (how much shorter can our skirts and shorts get?!) and set new benchmarks for ourselves? These benchmarks would include incredible productivity, high expectations for all citizens, and a sisterhood the likes of which have never been seen before. What would that world look like?! I see a world of confident, strong, driven, determined, focused, and compassionate females who KNOW the true value of their individual authenticity. Moreover, girls are taught to praise the power of womanhood and enthusiastically work their entire adolescents to fill the shoes of their successful, motivated/motivating, loving, thoughtful, considerate, and resilient mothers.

There are endless examples I could offer that illuminate how the citizens of this world are being pulled apart in today's climate. This world is filled with suspicions, allegations, conspiracy theories, false truths, and deeply palpable negativity.

What would happen if we filled this world with LOVE? ...

...Love for one another, man or woman...

...Love for our neighbors, regardless of lineage...

...Love for equality, regardless of what uncontrollable circumstances one was born in to...

...Love for the embracing of individuality, even if it is polar opposite of your own beliefs...

...Love of curiosity and a world supportive of the ongoing practice of learning...

...Love for adventure and knowing the world is safe for all to travel in...

...Boys respecting girls, and girls respecting the emotional spectrum of all boys...

...Spouses revering their spouses as gifts and the world revering sacred union as law...

A genuine love for life! What would this world look like? ... and what are we waiting for?...

Get your love on!

Spread the love xo

#sisterhood #women #strength #unity #genderequality #love #feminist #girlsrock