Women

This evening I was overcome with a deep sense of appreciation for the unique opportunity I have this year to study and live with a group of such beautiful, strong, funny, intelligent, caring and talented women. When I hear about interesting activities, studies, travels etc of other women I immediately begin finding something in my life that I think is on par with this, or if I find nothing become jealous and outwardly respond excitedly but truly am belittling it in my mind. This is something I am not proud of, and I have been struggling to constantly remind myself that life is not a competition and that I can learn much more from other women if I take my self-halo off.

Friends Global World Program from what I have seen is predominately women, as is our Comparative Religion and Culture group this year. They are not the glitzy, fashion girls I walk past on the street and generally (as well as sadly) discount as decent human beings, no more than a pretty face – a theory that has constantly been disproven but never modified effectively. The Friends Global World breed are compassionate, hard working (when push comes to shove), do it for themselves women who usually excel in some art form or another, qualities I consider to be the most important within myself, and for a woman/kick-ass person to posses. It is proving to be difficult to reeducate my ego that became so active during high school where I felt most of the women in my peer group were petty. Reeducate it, to understand and accept that I am part of group of women who have chosen to dedicate their educational career to being compassionate global citizens. Every one of them just as, or more phenomenal than I and if they are more phenomenal then I (it is generally the case that we each have a place where we excel) they have been great resources that I anticipate will help me now and in the future. More importantly they have answered my hopes that women would make a better showing for themselves.

I think this overwhelming appreciation means I have begun to actuate my desire to allow myself to become a giving and receiving part of this community of women and set aside my hereby useless self-glorification.