What if life does not have to be as it is currently dictated?
What if we could choose a different way?
What if the societal constructs that run much of the world could be rear ended and new models and expectations built in their place?
What if there was so much more?
What if women could be seen in other ways – past their role as appendages to men, sexual objects for the gratification of men and nurturers to all?
What if it was once a different way?
What if?
And this brings me to a wonderful book by Shirley MacLaine, that certainly poses a lot of interesting questions. The book is entitled simply: WHAT IF…
Today I would just like to share with you the final few paragraphs on Page 52
How you react to these words is fodder for your own consideration and I will not be giving my opinions here, as I feel the value in this small excerpt, as it rests in the context of this page of writing, is for you to examine your own personal response to the words.
No doubt your marital status and experience thereof will impact upon your mulling over of these words.
I found them quite thought provoking and as you can tell from my introduction they set me off on quite a few tangents of enquiry. My hope is that these word take you to your own place of self reflection and self discovery- untainted by my own personal journey through these words.
So now – over to the incredible Shirley MacLaine:
“ After my husband and I split, I made it a point to dodge the marriage bullet. From then on, I had loving sex without commitment. I loved to work hard, and feel I have earned all I have, which is enough for the rest of my life. But mostly I am content. Content with my surroundings, my friends, my family (whom I see when I want to), and my life.
Many women friends of my age are finding exquisite happiness on their own. None of us feels alone. On the contrary, we feel free and creative to be who we are. We often have celebratory lunches (too hard to find a parking place at dinner), reveling in our freedom of aloneness.
Wake Up, women of the world! You have earned the right to be free of taking care of others. Perhaps it isn’t even your nature. Perhaps you are the true warriors of peace.”
As is always the case when I present someone else’s words for reflection, I invite you to go back and read the passage a few more times.
Let it sit with you.
Let it quietly roll about in your mind and consciousness.
Let it guide you to where you need to be – for You.
Discover You.
Love You.
Be You.
- Christine -
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