Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Just found a really good article on Mooncups/Keepers (a different brand) which raises some very interesting points about why we think that periods are something to be ashamed of and kept hidden. We don't want people to know we're 'on' so we get sold really cute, discreet sanitary (even that word is indicative) products which can be mistaken for a packet of sweets. Let's stand up and be counted - take the huge companies on and choose a different path. Bodyform, kotex, tampax, Always - BEWARE!!!!
Keeping it Real
Monday, March 27, 2006
Grr Argh!!
A rather tangential topic but while I was in the gym today I was forced to watch a Madonna video - Sorry - and I got really annoyed about the complete inherent sexism. Madonna was pretending to be 19 all over again and guess what, it didn't work!!! They spent the whole video grabbing men and lap-dancing around them, why oh why are women constantly sexual objects?? And why do we feel the need to exhibit ourselves in order to feel attractive? But yet we always do. And even as a feminist and someone who feels confident in myself and my body (well, generally!) I still put make-up on etc etc. Is that any different? Although from my own point of view it is because I am not doing it to attract men (generally!), what does that mean for women in general and how we are perceived, and more importantly, how we are perceived by other men and women?
I don't know that I have any answers here, but I do know that we all - male and female - need to be more critical of the TV/DVDs/music vids that we watch. This is particularly pertinent for me working in my job (supported housing) where I see young women selling themselves short all the time, but yet how do I begin to combat the ingrained myths and misconceptions? Yet again, I don't know. But I do know that we have to continue to work to counteract these grossly unfair and inaccurate views of women and our bodies. We must all work to reclaim our-Selves, which, granted, is not easy or speedy, but it is a duty we all have as human beings. (This could be something I have in common with the Christian readers?) The 'other' should not be allowed to determine how we feel about ourselves, how we perceive our bodies, our sexuality, our connection, even our intelligence. This is a task which each of us is assigned and should undertake in full connection with our Own souls and with those who are close to us. Will we accept the challenge?
Friday, January 27, 2006
Oh and by the way, can some semi-technical person help me out with my blog template, as you can see - it's all wonky!!!! Muchas gracias!
Hi there to anyone who still logs in here even occasionally! As a blogger I am so so shite!!! My huge apologies! I think that part of my lack of blogging is due to the changes that I have been experiencing over the last number of months - in myself, my spirituality, my ethos and my mind. Right now, I am in a 'no man's land' (forgive the andocentrisim) and it is not a nice place to be. One thing I never wanted this blog to be was a place for me to air my difficulties and diarise my life, but for a long time Ihaven't felt like there was anything else to write. Of course I have had many, many political thoughts and feminist epiphanies, but all of them paled when set beside my reality. I have not described myself as a Christian for a long time, but suddenly I find myself adrift and realising that I miss my rather uncertain Christian faith and the comfort that belonging to a few Christian communities brought me. I still cannot find the dishonesty in myself to believe in Christianity again, but it is most certainly tempting. Of course, I still believe fervently that we are all inherently spiritual beings, but what does, could, that mean outside of a Christian context? Feminism, paganism, thealogy all offer some answers, but none quite fit for me. Yet, I remain convinced that my once certain idea of Jesus and his father and their other part (never really defined I feel) the holy spirit, definitely do NOT cut it for me.
I can see you now -either recoiling in terror that you have another soul to save, and one that was already saved damnit! or..thanking the beings around that I have seen the light. I am sure that others have been in this place and juncture - please seek me out!!!
P.S. I have found a lot of happiness since discovering thatI not longer believed in Christianity, there is freedom and wholeness and love. However a part, a significant part, stil wants more. answers on a postcard....
I can see you now -either recoiling in terror that you have another soul to save, and one that was already saved damnit! or..thanking the beings around that I have seen the light. I am sure that others have been in this place and juncture - please seek me out!!!
P.S. I have found a lot of happiness since discovering thatI not longer believed in Christianity, there is freedom and wholeness and love. However a part, a significant part, stil wants more. answers on a postcard....
Monday, July 25, 2005
I just finished reading a wonderful book, Desert Flower by Waris Dirie. <<http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1860497586/qid=1122313436/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_11_1/202-3670580-2381400>> It's an amazing story of her life, she was born in Somalia into a nomadic family. She was raped at four, underwent female circumcision/female genital mutilation at five and ran away to Mogadishu at 14 to escape an arranged marriage. After many years of hard work and uncertainty, she made it to London where she did lots more hard work. One day a photographer recognised her potential as a model, which she eventually became. She has an incredibly fresh perception on life, material possessions mean nothing to her, as long as she has enough to eat and a few pairs of shoes she's fine. She has an intrinsic love for nature - the Somalian wind and earth, flowers and grass. As a former nomad whose life was driven by the need for water, she reminds us how precious it is even though we take it so much for granted in the western world.
It's a book I would highly highly recommend!
It's a book I would highly highly recommend!
