Enlightened and Excited Me

     I always thought that staying home to be a full time mom sounded like an awful idea. I did not like the idea of going to school and wasting my time in getting an education to just be a mom. Why pay to go to school to be something that has been proven to not need any schooling at all? After picking my major at BYU and changing from political science to family life, this thought really resonated with me. I hear, "Oh, I just want to be a mom" all of the time. My major is in the top ten of chosen majors at BYU. I would be proud, but I know why. Girls who had previous plans to be something great got married and then just wanted to choose a major that could get them out as soon as possible. Yes, my major is shorter than some, and I guess it would be useful in family life. It still bothered me. They were the ones who were giving my major the bad name of a "mommy major." 
     Everything changed today. We had a feminism panel in my favorite class. I am a feminist. I know that word has a fairly negative connotation. It shouldn't. Yes, there are different typologies, but all of them are not what you think of when visualizing the stereotypical feminist. I learned that there is absolutely nothing wrong with staying home with your family even though you are educated and could go and have a huge name in society. When you have an education there is nothing that can stop your children from being great. You can teach them in the home, show them the importance of getting an education, show them how to serve, and show them how to work hard. Then, when they are grown they will be able to go out and make a difference in the world, and they will attribute it to you. You will realize that because they made a difference, you made a difference. Every person your children affect can be tied to you. How rewarding would that be?
     I know there is a way to find a balance in my life with school, work, and family. I want to go out and work with Family Services working with adoptions, children who have come from broken homes, or teenagers transitioning from the foster home life to the real world. I want to make a difference, but if the difference I make comes from the differences my children make I am now okay with that. Men and women are different. We should celebrate those differences. I do not believe society should go back to the 1950s family structure. There is a reason that has changed. I do believe that whether a woman goes out to work or stays home with the children they should be treated as equals. Feminine traits should not be undervalued.There is a divinity in womanhood and a responsibility in grace and respect. Women are armed with spiritual power and with an enlightened source for good no matter which life path we choose. I guess I am more open to something mentioned in my Patriarchal Blessing now. If I teach my children in my home, I will be okay with that.
     Today was full of exciting and enlightening moments such as this one. I fell twice yesterday on the slick snow and ice. With a sore body I did everything in my power to remain upright today. The tree I decorated for Student Alumni got entered in a BYU Magazine contest on who had the best Christmas tree. As of right now we are winning! Then, I applied for a social work internship in GHANA! I probably won't get it, but it is still exciting that I did it. That is one of the craziest things I have ever even considered doing. A dream is a wish your heart makes... I have always wanted to go to Africa to work with the kids there. This may be my chance. Maybe.