I personally don't fall into the typical woman's mould. I positively hate girly things, romance novels, shopping, soapies and sloppy movies. I love SciFi, Bunnings (a huge hardware store) and thrillers. I would rather wear daggy jeans than a dress (in fact I haven't worn a dress or skirt in over 15 years).
Growing up my parents were progressive for the age (the 50s) and we (my 2 sisters and me) were always taught we could do anything. Now it really sunk home with me and to this day I still believe it. We were never taught stereotypes and my Dad taught me to lay bricks, fix cars, paint pictures, cook, love reading and how to weld. Mum taught me to cook too, also not to be a slave to a man; she taught me compassion, patience (which I don't really have a lot of) and how a marriage is made up of sharing.
I'm not sure that their teachings worked as well on my sisters; I love them both; - my eldest sister remains subservient to her husband and I think would wipe his botty if he asked her to. My middle sister is a very caring person who hates to be with people and hates change but can wield a wrench with ease.
I took those teaching to heart and added a few of my own until I became the person I am today. In my youth I studied Mechanical Engineering, travelled overseas alone, enjoyed life and tried to find the meaning of life (it's 42).
When I married in my late 20s I managed to find a man who respected me and was quite happy to push a vacuum cleaner or make a meal. I don't think we did to bad together (the last 6 or so years don't count).
So what is all this leading to - my version of the Real Woman meme.
Real women don't have to make excuses for their behaviour - the people who love them accept them and those that don't - don't matter.
Real women know that laughter really is the best medicine. They know how to laugh - at themselves and at life; they know how to find enjoyment in simple things. They can let rip a loud belly laugh without embarrassment in a quiet movie theatre.
Real women accept the failings of themselves and others - they take responsibility for the mistakes they make knowing that no-one is infallible or for that matter irreplaceable.
Real women don't pre-judge by ethnicity, religion, appearance or sex.
Real women know that life is not always rosey - they accept their challenges and get on with overcoming them without complaining.
Real women are not ashamed to roll on the floor with children - they never loose their inner child - they also know that children have to climb trees, fall over, reach for the stars in fact they are still doing it themselves.
Real women know that there are days when they hate the world and everyone it but they understand they are only human and tomorrow is always a better day. They also know not to rely on tomorrows because they don't alway come. They live their lives one day at a time and love every second; even when they are hating it......
So who should I now tag, who are real women ...... Ali (anyone who can work with their hands above their heads for hours on end has to be a real woman); Sheilac (she's a real woman - who else would be game enough to make a UFO/WIP list and then publish it); and finally Caty who admits when she does bugger all!!
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