So I'm having a thought. And it's about chivalry, and the fact that society today seems to think that chivalry is in opposition to feminism or something. Like if you appreciate when a man opens a door for a woman then it's insinuating that a woman is weak. No joke, I have actually heard these arguments!

   -chiv·al·ry: qualities of ideal knight: the combination of qualities expected of the ideal medieval knight, especially courage, honor, loyalty, and consideration for others, especially women. (I love this definition because it's talking about knights :))

    -fem·i·nism: belief in women's rights: belief in the need to secure rights and opportunities for women equal to those of men, or a commitment to securing these

Can someone tell me how these two things oppose each other?? Being chivalrous towards women has nothing to do with their rights. It's just decent manners! Personally I consider myself a feminist, I want to be equal to men in my rights, that doesn't mean I don't wish we were back in the 1940s when chivalry was a common and expected thing! 

Some of my favorite things:
- I'm a host at Olive Garden, so I seat a looooot of people. I absolutely love when cute old couples and groups come in, because the men almost always wait for the women to sit down before they seat themselves. In fact the other day, a teenage boy came in the other day with three other girls, and he got to his seat first and he still waited until the girls sat down!
-I also love when I see guys opening the doors for their dates and pulling out their chairs for them.
-I appreciate when guys watch their language around women. Not all of us think it's attractive if a guy acts tough and swears a lot.
-I like when my date comes to the door before the date instead of just texting me and waiting in the car, and also it's appreciated when they walk me to my door after instead of just saying seeya!
And I know that I am not the only girl who feels like this, a lot of girls I talk to love when guys are courteous and everything. So guys, if you just don't want to feel old-fashioned or don't feel like it's a big deal doing these types of things for girls trust me- we all appreciate it, and it will earn you points with ANY girl out there. 

   

Thank you :)

 

*disclaimer: this is my experience and my life. I am not intending to preach or anything of the sort through this post.

So recently, as of about 6 months ago, I decided to start attending church again (for those of you who don't know I am a member of the LDS faith.) The past 6 months have been very hard, I was a very inactive member for about two and a half years, and it's amazing how much you forget in that much time! 
   The purpose of this post is mostly to thank everyone. Just thank you so much everyone who has been helping me and supporting me in coming back to church in a loving and accepting way. You have all made such a difference. 
   However, for as much love and support I have been getting, I have also felt the exact opposite from so many people. Mostly from non-Mormon people telling me I'm choosing wrong and I should just have some fun. To you, I would like to say the following. 
   You always complain about the "Mormons" pushing our beliefs down your throats, so what is the difference? I have chosen my path, and it's not an easy one by any means. All of you telling me that there is no God and I'm going to regret this choice later? That doesn't make it any easier! To those of you who say all Mormons are the same and they are all uninformed jerks who judge everyone way too harshly? When have I ever judged any of you. You can't say we are all the same when I and countless others I know quietly go along minding our own business. You don't want us to generalize you? Then please don't generalize us. You also say that the Mormon church is completely illogical, but what church is actually logical? Faith itself is illogical! You can't say that about our church until you know exactly what we believe, why we believe, and have tried it for yourself. I chose to come back to the church for a reason, and I would appreciate it if my decisions could be respected the same way you wish your decisions about religion were respected. 
   Also, just because I believe in yelling at people equally... ;) I have been on the other side where I also generalized the Mormon population. And can I just say, there are so many of us Mormons who seem to forget that when it comes to the people around us, all that is required of us is to LOVE EACH OTHER. It isn't required that we be self-righteous, and that we judge, and so many other things. If you don't like the choices someone makes, then you don't need to tell them they're going to hell. Just don't comment and walk away. That makes a lot more of an impact than preaching does. Also, as a recently returned inactive member who forgot so much of the church and who really messed up quite a few times. I do not need people telling me that you're better than me just because you never strayed. Remember- "don't judge me because I sin differently than you." I also don't need those looks out of the corner of your eye when I don't partake of the sacrament. If you're at church that means you're trying and that should be good enough for everyone. 
   Basically I just want to say that it's so hard coming back to something you let go of for so long. I know it will be worth it in the end though and for as hard as it is I have never been happier! I wish that everyone could just love each other like we should, because that is really what the LDS church is about. For all everyone thinks they know about it, it always comes back to just being kind and loving one another unconditionally. So thanks again for everyone who has been so supportive and who has helped me. I love you each and every one of you!  

*On a side note-anyone who wants to find out more about the LDS church can go to lds.org. It's a really good resource :) And not to get all preachy and crap, if there's anyone who is thinking about returning to the church or wants to join, do it! and don't wait, because the longer you wait the harder it is-i know that from experience ;)