"I live by a man's code, designed to fit a man's world, yet at the same time
I never forget that a woman's first job is to choose the right shade of lipstick."
- Carole Lombard, American actress

CoURAGE
TO BE
MYSELF

I have the courage to
embrace my strengths,
get excited about life,
enjoy giving and
receiving love,
face and transform
my fears,
ask for help and
support when I need it,
spring free of the
Superwoman trap,
trust myself,
make my own
decisions and choices,
befriend myself,
complete unfinished
business,
realize that I have emotional
and practical rights,
talk as nicely to myself
as I do to my plants,
communicate lovingly
with understanding
as my goal,
honor my own needs,
give myself credit for
my accomplishments,
love the little girl within me,
overcome my addiction
to approval,
grant myself permission
to play,
quit being a
Responsibility Sponge,
feel all my feelings and
act on them appropriately,
nurture others because
I want to and not
because I have to,
chose what is right for me,
insist on being paid
fairly for what I do,
set limits and boundaries
and stick by them,
have realistic expectations,
take risks and
accept change,
say "Yes" only when
I really mean it,
grow through challenges,
be totally honest
with myself,
correct erroneous beliefs
and assumptions,
respect my vulnerabilities,
heal old and new wounds,
savor the mystery of Spirit,
wave goodbye to guilt,
plant "flower" and not "weed" thoughts in my mind,
treat myself with respect
and teach others
to do the same,
fill my own cup first then
nourish others with the
overflow,
own my own excellence,
plan for the future
but live in the present,
value my own intuition
and wisdom,
know that I am lovable,
celebrate the differences
between men and women,
develop healthy
supportive relationships,
make forgiveness
a priority,
accept myself
just as I am now!

- from a poster in a coffee shop

THEN THERE WAS A DIFFERENT KIND OF WOMAN

I have a guess. Maybe Eve finally accepted the apple from the snake because she was real hungry, and Adam was not doing anything about it. She could climb that tree well by herself, but she was forbidden to do so. She was only created from a rib of the man.

The time of Eve has changed. Women have evolved into movers and shakers in today's new garden. She is standing proud and confident as she takes equal responsibility in making the world a wonderful and better place to be. Ah, she can even plant that apple tree any time.

Such are the women of Bai Lawanen Jaycees. Such are the women we are becoming to be.

The Smart Way:
When in doubt, wear black.
Watch movies where smart girls get the good guys in the end.
Marry for love.
Vote and know for whom you're pulling the lever.
Read more.
Agree frequently with the boss, but not to the point of nauseating.
Have a container of sharp pencils on your desk at all times.
Watch Murphy Brown re-runs.
Wear makeup that isn't obvious.
Believe the compliments you get from true friends.

The Reckless Way:
Crash a black-tie party.
Get a tattoo, fake or otherwise.
Eavesdrop.
Rent horror films and scream your head off.
Eat fastfood on a first date.
Fall into an over-size sweater and wear it as a dress.
Make a list of all the men of your life, from kindergarten to two minutes ago.
Consult a psychic and believe the best parts.
Drink margaritas.
Throw your head back, laugh expansively and say yes!

The Sexy Way:
Slow down. Walk, don't run. Slower is sexier.
Spray some of your partner's cologne and smell him all day.
Always keep flowers in your bedroom.
Let your skirt ride up when you're getting out of a car.
Bathe with lit scented candles.
Sit across a good-looking stranger and imagine talking to him.
Stop hating your body.
Learn to tango.
Draw a beauty mark on your cheek a la Marilyn.
To make sure they listen, whisper.

The Cool Way:
Instead of color, take black-and-white photos.
Make ice a priority: ice water and iced tea.
Always have at least one bottle of champagne in the house.
Know a lot about music - past and present.
Go to the movies by yourself during the day.
Become a member of a museum and go there often.
Have one accessory and wear it all the time, even to bed.
If a man asks for your phone number, say you'd prefer to take his.
Choose a period in literature and adopt aspects of the era.
Don't be a snob.

The Safe Way:
Dance around your room to loud swing music.
Get a friend to hang out with you.
Get enough sleep.
Date a fellow who looks like Harrison Ford.
Start going steady with him after two months.
Open and check your bank statement every month.
Ask your mother to tell you the story of how she met your father.
Tell the truth on your tax returns.
Make your bed into a comfortable womb.
Never throw out your old jeans.