Being Single

I apologize in advance for however jaded this posting may seem given the fact that I am a single woman.  I want to be clear that I continue to wholeheartedly believe in what I am about to say whether I am in a relationship or not.  My thoughts on this subject do not change with my relationship status.

People who are "single" face discrimination in many, many way in our society. 

1.  Why is it that we celebrate people who are joining together in marriage, but we do absolutely nothing to celebrate those people who live their lives independently (by choice or otherwise)?  Engagement parties, wedding showers, wedding presents, bachelorette/bachelor parties, lavish weddings, expensive receptions, honeymoons.....the list of "perks" involved in getting married appears endless.  People run out and buy expensive gifts for the happy couple, often resulting in completely decorating their homes, furnishing them with all new kitchen gadgets/dishware, linens, bed sets, curtains, TV's, etc.  So why, when two people join their lives (and their incomes/bank accounts) together, do we practically buy all of the things they need for them?  Yet as a single man or woman with ONE income, one does not get the same opportunities? People would look at you crazy if you planned an "I'm celebrating my single status and independence" reception, registered for gifts, and sent out nice invitations that tell you where they are registered...thus implying you should buy them something.  I'm single....so why isn't anyone offering to pay for me to go on a week long vacation of my dreams?  I have to furnish EVERYTHING I need with no help from anyone, which I am so grateful that I am able to do.....but it's just the principle.  Why does society choose only to celebrate those who join their lives together, and not the ones who decide not to?

2.  St.Valentine was the patron saint of love.  He was NOT the patron saint of chocolate, roses, and mushy cards.  I'm not saying it is not nice to get flowers every now and then, but come on.....if I am going to be in a relationship with someone then I want them to show/tell me daily that I am the one they love.  I don't want them to only remember to do it on a certain day of the year because consumerism tells them that's what they SHOULD do.  Once again, we find another one of society's celebration of people who are in relationships.....making those who are not feel as if there is something wrong with them, or reminding them that they are alone and not worthy of feeling special.  Why is there not a day devoted to celebrating a person's independence or choice to live life alone and according to their own desires?  Single people need a seperate day....because as of now, Valentine's Day is simply "Single's Awareness Day".....

3.  Don't even get me started on all the other things that are discriminatory....."Dinner for Two", the millions of coupons to "Buy 1 Meal, Get 1 Half Off", tax breaks, government.......well yeah....you get my point.  When are single people ever going to get a break?  Yeah....life is more expensive for 2 people....but they also have 2 incomes!!  Anyway.....enough with that.  I am done now.

I guess my point is why does our society either ignore single people all together, assume that there is something wrong with single people because they are alone, and refuse to celebrate someone's independence they way we do marriage.   And FYI...this does not mean that I am anti-relationship in any way....just something I have been thinking about a lot lately.

That is all.

Change

"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another."  ~A.France

A cold start to the new year....

I must admit, it doesn't feel like I have been back at work for 3 weeks.  Probably because out of those 3 weeks, we have only been here for about 5 days (thank you Jesus for the snow days).  This is NOT a bad thing.....

I started my graduate classes last week.  I am taking Foundations of Leadership & Professional Studies:Issues and Ethics this semester.  I really like my Leadership class.  The professor is a self-proclaimed leadership junkie, and she loves John C. Maxwell, so she must be cool.....

One of the questions that I have to answer this week is : " Who is the leader you most admire and why?"  This question has really stumped me. It would be easy to answer if I simply named someone that I don't know who has made a huge impact on the direction society took during their lifetime (i.e. Barak/Michelle Obama, Mother Teresa, Hillary Clinton, etc.).  However, if I apply it more directly to the leaders who have brought about direct change in my life....it makes the question a little more challenging. I still haven't come up with a good answer yet.  Stay tuned.

Other than work and school there is not time for much else these days.  When I say I have no life, I mean it quite literally.  The most direct human contact I have outside of work is the occassional glimpse of a family member or my landlords.  LOL.  I stay in touch with a few friends via e-mail, and of course, if you are reading this, then I am keeping up with you on facebook.  I hope the new year has started out well for all of you and your families, and if you live in the Knoxville area.....please start praying for another snow day for this Friday.  It would be the nice thing to do for all the teachers you know.....

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