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by (c) 2002 By Catie Gosselin of WomanLinks.com
Each month, I'm taken aback when reviewing entries for the
Celebrating Women
Contest (http://www.womanlinks.com/contest.shtml). Entries range from
a
single-word answer ("mom") to paragraphs extolling the virtue of
woman who
made a difference by a single act.
Most common among entries is the use of adjectives and phrases such as
'selfless', 'never thought of herself', "never complained', etc to
describe
an admired woman. It strikes me as extremely ironic that such
qualities are
a double-edged sword. While creating a supportive, nurturing
relationship
where the best is brought out in others, I have to wonder what these
qualities brought to their owner. All those grandmothers, mothers,
sisters,
teachers, co-workers, bosses, neighbors and friends gave and gave
without a
second thought. They had a momentous impact on many lives, but, I
wonder, at
what cost? After giving so freely, was anything left over for their
own
hearts?
It is disturbingly ironic that the very traits we value as a society
result
in discontent, broken women. How can anyone feel good about
themselves when
all their energy is poured into others?
I have to wonder what it would be like for women in a world where
honesty
was valued more than suffering in silence. I have to wonder what it
would be
like if generosity and kindness was truly the standard for all people.
Copyright (C) WomanLinks.com 1998-2002.
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