  Spiritual
This week: Equal Rights and Equal Choice Edited by: NaNoKit  
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Equality. It's such a simple concept, but it seems difficult to implement it, even in modern society.
This week's Spiritual Newsletter is all about equal rights and equal choice, and why these are important for men and women alike.
kittiara |
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I have a confession to make, dear Newsletter reader. Are you ready? Here goes: I'm a feminist. I've never truly thought of myself as such, but the older I get, I more I recognise the truth of that statement. I'm a feminist.
Unfortunately, the word feminist has become somewhat dirty, slightly stained... Some people think a feminist is someone who doesn't like men. I see men in the same way I see women - quite a few are truly lovely, the majority are nice, some are a bit unpleasant and a small minority are nasty. I like men well enough, and I am very lucky because I share my home with one of the truly lovely ones. Yes, I am probably biased when I say that!
I also like children. I don't have any, as nature has never seen fit to make me a mother, but I like them and enjoy spending time with the children of friends and family. My sister wants a child or two, and I look forward to the day that happens as I'd love to be an aunt. Auntie Kit. It would be great!
I don't need a high-flying career. I'm not obsessed with money, or power, or keeping up with the neighbours. I don't feel like I have to prove myself to the world.
I don't see myself as a victim. I don't want to take away men's rights. I don't feel that women are better than men, or that men are better than women. And - this is very important, in my opinion - men and women are not the same. There are differences between us. Our biological make-up is different and there's no point in denying this. There's no point in trying to force us to be the same, either.
What, then, makes me say I am a feminist? I consider myself a feminist because I believe in equal rights and equal choice.
It makes me sad that there's so much pressure on a woman to have that high-flying career, and be a mother, and have a fancy social life. If a woman wants to stay at home and look after the children, this is often frowned upon, as though she's somehow letting the side down. Similarly, if a man wants to be a stay at home dad, some people will consider him to be less than a "real man". I think it's silly. It should be down to the individual family and what works for them.
It makes me sad that if a woman's in her thirties and she's still not married and/or hasn't got children, some will think she must be desperate for a man, or that there must be something wrong with her. That shouldn't happen in this day and age. And still, in 2011, if a couple does get married the woman tends to be congratulated and told how lucky she is, whilst the man will often receive oh so funny comments about the old ball and chain and how his life will now be restricted by his partner.
Women are still seen as wanting to tie a man down. We're still suspected of wanting men who are rich and powerful so that we can spend his wealth on fancy dresses and designer handbags. In reality, what most women are looking for is someone who makes us happy. We want someone who likes us the way we are, who's loyal and kind, reliable and caring. We want a man (or woman, for that matter), who we can see ourselves spending the rest of our lives with. And some of us don't want a partner at all. Some like the independence and that is fine, too.
Society's attitude towards women can still be rather strange. It's almost as if, now that women no longer have a set role, there are sections of society that don't know what to do with us or where we fit in. For centuries on end, women were pretty much a man's property and responsibility. We still have traditions that reflect this - the father giving away the bride to the new man in her life, the woman often accepting the surname of her husband.
I feel lucky that I have the freedom to make my own decisions. I'm allowed to think for myself, to make my own decisions and to act upon them. I feel that if you take away a person's choice and determine their role in life for them, you hinder their personal and, indeed, their spiritual development.
Equal rights and equal choice are important. It doesn't mean that everyone should be the same. It doesn't mean that everyone should strive to be the same. On the contrary - it means that everyone should be allowed (within the limits of the law, of course), to shape their lives in a way that suits their personal preferences. And that, I believe, is a significant step closer to true freedom.
kittiara |
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A very short story inspired by a woman I helped outside a department store one Christmas.
#1367354 by Mike Day  |
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A few items that were brought to my attention following my previous Newsletter on love:
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The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! 
~~~
hbar - "It may be something that's only typical of women,"
Yes, females only experience love and loss, men are immune to the effects of love and never suffer from it's heady highs a dark depths. Never give or receive the gentle touch or soft smile of Love. Thanks for the credit.
John the ogre
Dear John - My apologies if my statement made you feel that I don't agree with you. The part of the sentence you quote is from this: "It may be something that's only typical of women, but I know that when I suffered from a broken heart, listening to the songs written by other broken hearts helped me to let it all out."
The wailing along to broken-hearted love songs is one of those stereotypes associated with women and, indeed, I have done it before  . However, I am sure there may be men who find it therapeutic!
The rest of my Newsletter doesn't speak of women only, as of course, men and women both experience love.
~~~
shepherd46 - My story of love began when I was searching and hurting and longing for someone to love. Over time I had become depressed that I would never find such a love. I prayed one night in desperation to find someone to love and to love me. The following day I found that person and we've been happily married for over 40 years. Prayers are answered!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I am so happy you have found such a deep and lasting love. 40 years is amazing! 
~~~
Zeke  - There are a variety of different types of love. For example, loving apple pie is quite different than loving your partner.
Oh, I don't know... my love of apple pie is quite deep and intense  . Just kidding. I agree with your point.
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Steve adding writing to ntbk. - Thanks for the newsletter on love. I've just getting around to reading the newsletters this week.
I encourage you to follow through on the newsletter on sin. It is an important subject and needs to be discussed. Looking forward to future issues of the newsletter and always find good stories associated with them for reviewing purposes. You are important to God; therefore you are important to me. Copenator out!
Thank you!
I may do the Newsletter on sin at some point. I do admit to being a bit fearful of covering this topic as a Newsletter editorial . It's certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but then, neither is the current one, I'm sure! Thank you for the encouragement!
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Mogay Ryt  - Awesome letter. Even if it's the middle of the night I can almost feel the sunlight! Can't wait to get more letters from you. Have a blessed weekend.
Thank you so much for your very kind words! I appreciate it . Hope you have a blessed week ahead!
~~~
Markymark - Hi Kittiara,
I really enjoyed your newsletter on 'Love'. I have been lucky to have fallen into it lately, and it has inspired so much of my writing. It is the most powerful of all the emotions, with so many avenues of expression, that EVERYONE can be touched by it. I thought I'd share a quote with you that I read almost everyday, and one that holds a deep meaning for me...hope you and your readers will like it too...
'One word frees us of all the weight and pain in life. That word is love.' (Sophocles)
Looking forward to your next NL, and maybe you might include a poem of mine, all about love!
Thanks and best regards,
Markymark.
Thanks so much, Markymark, also for the items you sent in! I have included them above, as they're wonderful showcases of love . I am happy that you have found such happiness, and I love the quote - it is indeed very inspirational.
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tsheba - Kittiara, I have been telling myself lately that I have to truly begin loving "me". That means, do not allow others to take advantage of me, oppress or abuse me. I am learning to practice tough love to preserve myself, my happiness, and truly being alive!
This is something I am working on as well. Sometimes it's quite difficult, but oh so worthwhile. I genuinely wish you all the best because you do deserve all the best, and you do deserve love.
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Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Spiritual Newsletter Team:
Sophurky  , KimChi , kittiara
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Spiritual: May 25, 2011 Issue [#4410]
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