Writer's Workshop--Who Says You're the Boss of Me?

      I'm still riled about the all the hate mail and it got me to thinkin'... I am SO sick and tired of all of the expectations placed on me as a mother and a woman. As a woman we are constantly bombarded by images of the "perfect" woman, and I don't know about you but I'm not impressed it! I mean I know you size 4, with perfect hair, skin and teeth are out there I've seen you skulking about, but not only am I not her--I don't want to be. But maybe not for the reasons you might think.

       I've given up trying to be a "perfect" woman, wife and mother. I don't have it in me to cater to the latest fad/ideal of perfection. Frankly, those fads are too capricious and because I live on less than 5 hours of sleep, I don't have the kind of energy it takes to maintain that kind of perfection. But it still irks me that not only are those images and expectations out there but that we are trained from an early age that if we don't subscribe to those ideals we are somehow worth less. I feel that as a society, we are training our girls that their self worth is wrapped up in their appearance (I know not a new idea) but also (and perhaps more dangerously) in their ability to follow the social norm at all cost.
     As if you need examples, but I've already admitted that I'm not "green" and it got me 7 emails detailing how I'm somehow less of a person because I'm not actively trying to reduce my carbon footprint. I've stated that my daughter is autistic and there are those in that community that feel that I'm not doing my job as a parent because I'm not doing the "job of an activist". There are so many things that I'm not doing...*sigh*...and all I can see is all of the time and energy I have wasted chasing an ideal that I didn't even want.
       I've spent a lot of time on this blog telling you what I'm not. I'm not a size 4 with perfect hair, skin and teeth. I'm not green. I'm not an activist. I'm "not" a lot of things. But I noticed that I've spent very little time telling you what I am; so here goes.... I am a woman full of passion with a voice that must be heard. I am a mother with a squishy tummy and an abundance of love but limited patience. I am a wife with a lenient husband; because a housekeeper I am not! I am a dearly loved, child of God, full of His grace. I am an artist and an intellectual--perhaps in my head only. I am a hell-on-wheels-bitch when crossed and the bestest, most loyal friend you'll ever find. I am an individual, perfectly created and yet certainly flawed.
       So if you think that you know what I'm supposed to be or how to perfect me then think again! If you want to boss and bully me back into that perfect little box, well no way!  Because I'm ever so perfectly flawed and it just might be those flaws that makes me perfect.
Peace out!

**This post was inspired by Mama Kat's--PRETTY MUCH WORLD FAMOUS--writer's workshop.

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