What we can't change!

[Dennis A Lederl]

All my life I've waited patiently for our society and/or culture to give me permission to wear a skirt (actually any women's clothing I wanted to). It had always just seemed fair to me that women get to wear men's clothes anytime they want but men don't get to wear women's clothes. I was there at the end of WWII and saw what happened once women were given permission to wear men's clothes. So I waited for the same thing to happen for men.
But it never has.
The absolutely no compelling reason for men to wear skirts or dresses. None.
But it has finally dawned on me that it is like the old saying in psychology. "The only thing about you that I can change is my attitude toward you."
You can't change people's minds, they have to change for their own reasons for their own self interests. Which makes all the religious arguments and wars a waste of time. George Bush :etal should realize this.
But that means that rather then wait for our entire culture to change and given me permission to wear a skirt I have to do that for myself.
Change in me and what I do is up to me and no one else.
No matter what I decide to wear and when that solely my decision and is up to me to make a difference in my own life for my own purposes.
Dennis

[RichardA]

God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
and Wisdom to know the difference

[ChrisM]

Thank you Sir. I'd not heard that one before ("The only thing about you that I can change is my attitude toward you.") Rather apt and memorable and I thank you for bringing it to me.

Chris

[PatJ]

Richard,
I thought it went like this

"God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
and Wisdom to hide the bodies of those I killed because they really ticked me off!"

LOL

PatJ

[Bravehearts.us]

All my life I've waited patiently for our society and/or culture to give me permission to wear a skirt (actually any women's clothing I wanted to). It had always just seemed fair to me that women get to wear men's clothes anytime they want but men don't get to wear women's clothes. I was there at the end of WWII and saw what happened once women were given permission to wear men's clothes. So I waited for the same thing to happen for men.
But it never has.
The absolutely no compelling reason for men to wear skirts or dresses. None.
But it has finally dawned on me that it is like the old saying in psychology. "The only thing about you that I can change is my attitude toward you."
You can't change people's minds, they have to change for their own reasons for their own self interests. Which makes all the religious arguments and wars a waste of time. George Bush :etal should realize this.
But that means that rather then wait for our entire culture to change and given me permission to wear a skirt I have to do that for myself.
Change in me and what I do is up to me and no one else.
No matter what I decide to wear and when that solely my decision and is up to me to make a difference in my own life for my own purposes.
Dennis

This is an excellent piece of writing, Dennis. It’s inspirational, philosophical and very heart felt!
Women got their break because they had to work in the factories during that war. A long time ago, my mother’s aunt worked in a factory and her boss told her to go home and change out her husband’s pants and put on a dress if she wanted to keep her job. She thought it was ridiculous and dangerous to be working in a factory in a dress so she refused and was fired on the spot. So, women faced many of the challenges we face today even though ours are somewhat different.
Good post, Dennis.
Lar

[Skirt Chaser]

But that means that rather then wait for our entire culture to change and given me permission to wear a skirt I have to do that for myself.

And I bet you are happier enjoying yourself now rather than the men waiting until it becomes 'okay'. Being yourself takes a lot of strength sometimes but it is very rewarding. Over the weekend I met a lady who was fun to talk with. When we shook hands it felt like a child's hand. Only later as she was happily gesturing as we laughed over something did I notice her fingers stopped at the first knuckle with nails on the ends. Not everybody is up to facing possible reactions and rejections she might get for an accident of birth but I am so glad she is. Hiding something about yourself to spare others is a waste of everybody's time and that certainly goes for skirts too.

Quiet Mouse