Despite how far we think we have come with gender equality and righting social wrongs, there are still some subconscious belief systems pervading our society that are holding men and women back every day, causing us to hide in plain sight instead of shining bright, living small when we were born to do big things.
“Decades of studies, including recent social science research, find that if a man is successful, people like him more, and if a woman is successful, in general, people like her less.” -Jamie Kern Lima
So women play it small, self-sabotage and don’t do the things they dream.
“Men are often raised with soul-crushing societal judgment and pressure…made to feel like their professional success determines their worth…taught they ARE their job.” -Jamie Kern Lima
So men get wrapped up in their occupation, missing the boat on the most meaningful parts of their lives, working in a job just to hold an identity they perceive as worthy. If you don’t see this situation as needing a solution, then you are part of the problem.
Show me a man who can be complete and confident regardless of his occupation and I’ll show you a man who doesn’t define himself by what he does.
Show me a woman willing to sacrifice being liked in service to her goals and I’ll show you a woman worth following.
We are all born to manifest the glory of God that is within us, as Marianne Williamson pointed out, and that doesn’t always fit in a box; society doesn’t always understand, group think is not always the best line of thought; actually, it’s usually not.
Dare to be different. Live different. Break the mold. Carve a new path. Your tread may lead the way for others for generations to come. And that, my friend, is a worthy pursuit.
