Words I am going to omit from my vocabulary!!!(REPOSTING FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T READ THAT MAY LIKE TO)

[nicolemstacy]

The first word is definitely going to be "perfect". Perfect is the most pointless word ever thought of! We all know it doesn't exist because one person's idea of perfect is different from another's, yet we all strive for that impossible idealistic and stupid word. Nobody is perfect, nor will they ever be, yet most of us beat ourselves up for not being something that doesn't exist.

The next word is "should". Should is an evil word because it creates unrealistic expectations and standards. Usually when this word is used, it is a harsh recommendation either to oneself or to another person. "I should be 5'7 and 110 pounds with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a tan."  "A good mother should be able to keep her children quiet in the stores." "A normal and happy family should be able to sit down for a quiet dinner every evening and discuss their problems in a civilized manner." You all get the idea. These were just some examples as to how the word "should" is used and how damaging it can be when people think this way when really it's not the way things are.

The final word I can think of is "must". "Must" is another "should", in that it creates these wacky ideas and assumptions of how things are "supposed to be". "Her child is throwing a tantrum in public, she MUST be spoling her." "She's skinny and pretty, she MUST be starving herself." Who the hell creates these standards anyway? More importantly, who the hell actually lives up to and owns these standards every day without any problems whatsoever? I don't think anyone can honestly raise their hand and say "I" to those. I know I sure as hell can't and you know what? I'm a wonderful mother, wife, friend, and human being, and I'm certain that a vast majority of you other women out there not meeting the "Stepford Wife Standards" are too!

Woman are many things. We are workers, mothers, wives, nurturers, lovers, friends, sisters, aunts, godmothers, daughters, sailors, soldiers, leaders, followers, creators, the list goes on and on. It's amazing in itself that we can be all these things and hold ourselves together. I think we should all stop beating ourselves up for not meeting some stupid impossible standard from some invisible source and take pride in what we do. All the lives we enrich, all the days we help everyone get through. Let's embrace who we are and all that we accomplish and forget about stupid words and people that try to rob us of that. God bless.

[cmorellana]

Oct. 28, 2009 at 7:15 PM

Very well stated!! I'm impressed and inspired! Words that we are supposed to strive for are actually hurting us and holding us back! You are very wise, nicolemstacy!