Father Knows Best

Some things recently happened that got me thinking about the bigger issues.

Now, I accept that there are those who don't believe, who feel that the idea of God is archaic and/or that religion is a tool of the tyrant to subjugate the masses. Many people feel that God has no place in the courtroom, legislation, or anywhere else public. Some even feel that religious convictions shouldn't be allowed to dictate commercial activity and business practices.

Here's the problem I see with that.

While those who live a homosexual lifestyle have every right to live their lives as they see fit, so do the rest of us. I, as do all believers, have the right to believe and express that belief as I see fit, to chose how and with whom I do business, how I chose to treat my fellow man (which includes my motives), even to declare my God-given duty to be my brother's keeper.

When I encounter someone who claims to be a believer who also feels it's their place to essentially tell God that He's wrong for not respecting civil rights, it just rubs me wrong. Telling God what He is and isn't allowed to do just seems very prideful, biblical pride- the damning kind. To quote a dear friend, "We need to realize that God doesn't need our permission to exist, make rules (commandments), bless or withhold blessings, forgive whom he so chooses, etc."

Now, I'm not saying that civil rights don't matter. They do. Courtesy shouldn't depend on the recipient's skin color, age, social status, religion, nation of origin... or sexual orientation... and that should be a two way street.

But it's not.

Too often, I see those in "protected" classes declaring their oppression and the sacrifices they've made when often it's that the un-protected classes are simply standing up for their right to live their lives as they see fit.. or that the "sacrifice" is defined more correctly as common courtesy.

Why must we make it a win/lose battle?
Why do we insist on having our own way?
Why do so many demand the other side condone their choice vs asking for the tolerance they claim to want?
Why must each side assume to declare the opponents' motives?

"Why can't we all just get along?"
Why don't we accept both sides as being allowed by law?
Why can't we both allow both sides to determine how we each chose to live, and stop shoving our own agendas down the others' throats?

Maybe it's because we're all terribly human and can't let well enough alone.
Maybe it's because this is just a really hot issue and hits more than just one nerve.
Maybe because the reality is that it really can't be a win/win outcome.

Here's another question-
Why can't we put God and His agenda where He belongs, at the top?
After all, Father really does know best, right? Just sayin'...

Size 6

Guess what- I'm a plus size.

A while back I noticed an article that was all up in arms about a "plus size" model posing nude. I admit I was curious. Now, don't get me wrong, I am definitely NOT a fan of porn or gratuitous nudity, but I was curious. This article had nothing to do with porn or nudity. It had everything to do with size and perceptions. See, the photos of this size-12 woman (really a very pretty woman) were accompanied by interesting facts about the modeling industry. Facts like...

• Size 6 is now considered a "plus size."
• Twenty years ago, the average model weighed only 8% less than the average American woman. Today the average model weighs 23% less than the average American woman.
• Most runway models meet the BMI physical criteria for anorexia.
• Fifty percent of women wear a size 14 or larger, but most standard clothing outlets cater to sizes 14 or smaller.
• The majority of "plus-size" models on agency boards are between a 6 and 14.

This can all be very discouraging!

But consider this.

I wear a size 6 or 8, depending on how much stretch the garment has, and how I want it to fit. So.. I'm a plus size, right?

Now go to the BMI chart. I'm 5'3", 129 (as of about 9:30 this morning). My BMI is 23, well within "normal" on the chart.

How messed up is that? Am I a "plus-size" or am I "normal"..?

Now, I've never really followed fashion. You could probably call me boring. I'm not necessarily fashion-impaired, but I'm certainly not completely out of touch. (Really, it doesn't take a genius to tell that Helena Bonham Carter has a .. uh.. "unique" fashion sense... that I don't think should be repeated outside of Holywood.. or inside, for that matter!)

Now, any of you who actually know me, who know what I look like... you're probably rolling your eyes at the mere thought that someone would consider me a plus-size. Which makes it even sadder for the "big girls" out there. I feel badly for the women who want to be a size 12, who go on crash diets and other extreme measures to lose a few pounds or inches.

The number on the inside of your clothes should be the last one you're worried about. The numbers that matter are the ones you get from your doctor.

• How is your blood sugar? Is your diet such that managing the sugars in your blood aren't overly taxing on your pancreas?
• Where's your blood pressure? Are your arteries and heart healthy?
• What is your cholesterol (both HDL-the good kind.. and LDL-the bad kind)?
• And (I think) most importantly, does your body do what you need it to do? Are you able to do the things you want to do without getting tired or winded?

If these numbers and indicators are good, then take a pair of scissors to that stupid number on the inside of your clothes and above all....

Love yourself!

Disney Princesses.. really?

I have friends who have daughters.. who in turn are infatuated by the Disney princess pantheon... which in turn makes me thing about what these princesses are actually teaching children today.

Do you realize how un-wise most of the Disney princesses are?

Snow White decided she was in love with a man she truly didn't know. She agreed to marry him.. simply because he was her first kiss. Ok, so the kiss roused her from a death-like coma. He sounds like a pretty weird guy, if you ask me, kissing what he thinks is a corpse!

Ariel had a fetish for legs/all things human. That combined with plain old infatuation is all that drew her to Eric.

Aurora (from Sleeping Beauty) met a guy one afternoon in the forest.. and decided she liked him enough to marry him. Ok, so he killed a dragon... but that doesn't necessarily mean he's "the one."... Although there is the whole arranged-marriage angle. You're slated to marry the guy, so you fulfill your duty to your nation and marry him.

Cinderella and Tianna do marginally better- Cinderella met a guy at a dance, talks with him some. And while that's better than making the decision based on a kiss, it's still just one date. Yeah, he's a prince and sure, he went looking for the chick with one shoe.. but it was still only one date. Tianna goes on one over-night adventure and decides that's enough to build a marriage on.

I really think Belle (from Beauty and the Beast), Mulan, and Jasmine did a lot better. They really got to know their guys.

Jasmine broke her own "rule" of No Princes to get to know "Prince Ali"/Aladdin. They still didn't quite spend as much time as I think is needed to get to know each other, but they did spend some time together.

Belle lived in his house. They talked, did stuff together. They shared interests and thoughts. They interacted. Same with Mulan- she worked for him, learned from him, went on a military campaign and really got to know what kind of person he was, who he was in the trenches (literally?)!

Should we be pushing these paragons of capriciousness on our future lady-heros?