I don't know how many of you read the main Ensign article from August...I can probably safely bet that not many of you did because you're all married and it was about being young and single in the church. I highly suggest you read it even (or especially) if you are married.
I know that to many of you I am not that old, but in "Mormon World"...I'm only 9 months away from being a menace to society. Anyway....there were some very good suggestions to the married population of how to support singles and give them hope or how to help them stay positive in a world full of cynicism about marriage.
Honestly, this is one thing I've found that I'm becoming quite good at....being cynical about marriage/relationships.....and really about all of the mormon culture. To illustrate my point, let me share a story that happened not too long ago.
I had come home one sunday, from West Jordan, to go to my parents ward. In Relief Society, they welcomed me "back", asked where I was living then and what I was up to. I thought that was good. I was happy and enjoying life. It was good. Then after church....a woman came up to me and said "Where are you living now?" I answered, "West Jordan. I love it out there." To which she replied.. "Well don't worry, my son didn't get married until he was 28." My initial reaction was to play it off. But I couldn't believe that someone would go out of their way to say that! So instead of hitting her, like I really wanted, I just walked away and let my mom finish the conversation.
Its little insensitive comments like that that makes young single adults feel like crap or whatever. Who said I was worried about it!!? I'm certainly not. Of course I would love to be married and have the opportunity to start a family, but that is not the path Heavenly Father has in store for me at the moment. I HATE that in the mormon culture, if you aren't married before 23 years old, then something must be wrong with you AND/OR you are just terribly worried that it will never happen.
The Ensign article said last month, "When friends or family send messages to singles that they should "try harder", that they aren't doing enough to promote dating opportunities, or that they should think about happier things, singles may feel blocked rather than helped in their efforts to move forward to positive goals and interests." I would like to add my AMEN to that. In the article it also says, "Getting married is not the sole definition of success for singles." Amen to that too.
I know I'm going off on a tangent here, but as I read the article it really struck me that probably more NON-SINGLES need to read it instead of singles. I would also like to say once more, while I agree whole hearted with this article, my ornery-ness (is that a word) about it, doesn't mean I'm completely happy being single. I do hope to find a man to marry and start a family with. Some days I wish it was sooner than later. But I do know that I'm in a place where God wants and needs me to be, that is no ones business but my own and God's. But...while I'm happy with my life...it doesn't mean that I'm not open to being set up or having help in that department. Lol. So thanks for being supportive and for all that everyone does for me. I really appreciated your love and friendships.
I know that to many of you I am not that old, but in "Mormon World"...I'm only 9 months away from being a menace to society. Anyway....there were some very good suggestions to the married population of how to support singles and give them hope or how to help them stay positive in a world full of cynicism about marriage.
Honestly, this is one thing I've found that I'm becoming quite good at....being cynical about marriage/relationships.....and really about all of the mormon culture. To illustrate my point, let me share a story that happened not too long ago.
I had come home one sunday, from West Jordan, to go to my parents ward. In Relief Society, they welcomed me "back", asked where I was living then and what I was up to. I thought that was good. I was happy and enjoying life. It was good. Then after church....a woman came up to me and said "Where are you living now?" I answered, "West Jordan. I love it out there." To which she replied.. "Well don't worry, my son didn't get married until he was 28." My initial reaction was to play it off. But I couldn't believe that someone would go out of their way to say that! So instead of hitting her, like I really wanted, I just walked away and let my mom finish the conversation.
Its little insensitive comments like that that makes young single adults feel like crap or whatever. Who said I was worried about it!!? I'm certainly not. Of course I would love to be married and have the opportunity to start a family, but that is not the path Heavenly Father has in store for me at the moment. I HATE that in the mormon culture, if you aren't married before 23 years old, then something must be wrong with you AND/OR you are just terribly worried that it will never happen.
The Ensign article said last month, "When friends or family send messages to singles that they should "try harder", that they aren't doing enough to promote dating opportunities, or that they should think about happier things, singles may feel blocked rather than helped in their efforts to move forward to positive goals and interests." I would like to add my AMEN to that. In the article it also says, "Getting married is not the sole definition of success for singles." Amen to that too.
I know I'm going off on a tangent here, but as I read the article it really struck me that probably more NON-SINGLES need to read it instead of singles. I would also like to say once more, while I agree whole hearted with this article, my ornery-ness (is that a word) about it, doesn't mean I'm completely happy being single. I do hope to find a man to marry and start a family with. Some days I wish it was sooner than later. But I do know that I'm in a place where God wants and needs me to be, that is no ones business but my own and God's. But...while I'm happy with my life...it doesn't mean that I'm not open to being set up or having help in that department. Lol. So thanks for being supportive and for all that everyone does for me. I really appreciated your love and friendships.
I'm going to start teaching piano lessons again. If anyone is interested...young or old...I want to start teaching soon so give me a call. I know a lot of you will think I'm crazy because I'm already way too busy...but I really have missed the piano and hope to fulfill an emptiness I've had since I haven't played as much as I used to! YEAH!
