History of Feminism
Related: About this forumThis Father Just DESTROYED Society’s Definition Of Beauty. This Is Perfect.
And now that Im sitting here, Im beginning to agree with him. Words have power, and the words on display in this aisle have a deep power. Words and phrases like:....
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When you have a daughter you start to realize shes just as strong as everyone else in the housea force to be reckoned with, a soul on fire with the same life and gifts and passions as any man. But sitting in this store aisle, you also begin to realize most people wont see her that way. Theyll see her as a pretty face and a body to enjoy. And theyll tell her she has to look a certain way to have any worth or influence. But words do have power and maybe, just maybe, the words of a father can begin to compete with the words of the world. Maybe a fathers words can deliver his daughter through this gauntlet of institutionalized shame and into a deep, unshakeable sense of her own worthiness and beauty.
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A fathers words arent different words, but they are words with a radically different meaning:
Choose your dream. But not from a department store shelf. Find the still-quiet place within you. A real dream has been planted there. Discover what you want to do in the world. And when you have chosen, may you faithfully pursue it, with integrity and with hope.
Naked. The world wants you to take your clothes off. Please keep them on. But take your gloves off. Pull no punches. Say what is in your heart. Be vulnerable. Embrace risk. Love a world that barely knows what it means to love itself. Do so nakedly. Openly. With abandon.
Infallible. May you be constantly, infallibly aware that infallibility doesnt exist. Its an illusion created by people interested in your wallet. If you choose to seek perfection, may it be in an infallible gracefor yourself, and for everyone around you.
Age defying. Your skin will wrinkle and your youth will fade, but your soul is ageless. It will always know how to play and how to enjoy and how to revel in this one-chance life. May you always defiantly resist the aging of your spirit.
Flawless finish. Your finish has nothing to do with how your face looks today and everything to do with how your life looks on your last day. May your years be a preparation for that day. May you be aged by grace, may you grow in wisdom, and may your love become big enough to embrace all people. May your flawless finish be a peaceful embrace of the end and the unknown that follows, and may it thus be a gift to everyone who cherishes you.
http://www.viralnova.com/father-letter-to-daughter/
cinnabonbon
(860 posts)You always find the best articles, Sea.
seabeyond
(110,159 posts)not even a could years ago or more, she would roll her eyes. now with a 6 yr old little girl that feels she is a princess and my nieces concern, and a son that is sensitive amongst a family of manly men.... i am the womans cats meow.
it is great when our kids grow up and we get to start having the adult relationship with them.
and ya... we need the refreshing and inspiring cause we are going to get the ugly and nasty. we need the refreshing and inspiring so we can continue to battle on.
cinnabonbon
(860 posts)the easier they'll SEE what we're saying. I'm so glad your niece has grown up into such a delightful adult, and has gotten such lovely children!
I don't have any children myself, but I remember the moment I realized that my mother wasn't speaking out to embarrass me (forgive me, I was a teenager) but she was speaking out because it was the right thing to do. Discovering just how much feminist work she had done filled me with pride once I was mature enough to understand. It's a really good feeling.
Tell me about it. This week I have seen more ugly and nasty on DU than the first month combined! I wonder if any of those threads should go in the list we have of misogyny @ DU.
sheshe2
(87,252 posts)"Where are you the most beautiful?
On the inside.
From my heart to yours,"
Daddy
Beautiful, Seabeyond.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)blackspade
(10,056 posts)Awesome.
Little_Wing
(417 posts)Such beautiful truths can do such beautiful good.
Thank you seabeyond for finding & sharing this here.
seabeyond
(110,159 posts)and what he gave me has lasted a lifetime. well worth the investment.
celebrate your daughters... thank you!
CrispyQ
(38,166 posts)This photo always brings a smile to my heart!
seabeyond
(110,159 posts)rollin eyes.
this picture reminds me so of my oldest brother. fighting for his daughter for a decade when we would have all given up. he is this man, this father and i could so see him doing this with the hugest of smile. a manly man, nonthreatened and taking care of his daughter. empowering her. and cheering her all the way.
i love this picture. a fav. thanks for posting in this thread.
cinnabonbon
(860 posts)What an awesome dad.