Alright, alright, let’s talk about this “well-behaved woman” thing, you know? Folks keep jabberin’ about it, so I figured I’d throw in my two cents, even if them cents ain’t worth much.
Now, what’s a well-behaved woman anyways? Is it some fancy lady who sits proper and never raises her voice? Is it some gal who always does what she’s told and never rocks the boat? Hmph, sounds mighty borin’ to me.
Being Accountable and All That Jazz
One thing I heard is that a well-behaved woman, she’s gotta be accountable. Means she owns up to her mistakes, I reckon. Like if she burns the biscuits, she don’t go blamin’ the dog. She says, “Yep, I burnt ‘em. My bad.” That’s important, see? Can’t go around pointin’ fingers all the time. Gotta look yourself in the mirror and say, “That’s on me, I’ll do better”. Ain’t easy, but it’s right.
Gettin’ What You Want
Then there’s this talk about gettin’ what you want. Now, some folks think a well-behaved woman just sits around and waits for things to happen. Like a bump on a log. But that ain’t right neither. If you want somethin’, you gotta go after it! Not sayin’ you gotta be pushy or mean, but you gotta be strong and you gotta speak up. Just like gettin’ the best tomatoes at the market. You can’t just stand there starin’ at ‘em; you gotta reach out and grab the good ones before somebody else does!
- Speak your mind: Don’t be scared to say what you think. Even if it ain’t popular. Just like that time I told old man Johnson his fence was crooked. He didn’t like it, but he fixed it!
- Stand up for yourself: Don’t let nobody walk all over you. You got worth, just like everybody else. You deserve respect, so demand it, girl!
- Go after your dreams: Don’t let nobody tell you you can’t do somethin’. You wanna be a doctor? Go for it! You wanna be a farmer? Go for it! You wanna be the first woman on the moon? Well, maybe start with learnin’ to fly a plane, but you get the idea.
Confidence is Key
And speakin’ of goin’ after things, you gotta have confidence. That means believin’ in yourself, even when things get tough. It’s like plantin’ seeds. You gotta believe they’re gonna grow, even when you can’t see nothin’ but dirt. You gotta trust that you’re strong enough and smart enough to handle whatever life throws your way.
Breakin’ the Rules (Sometimes)
Now, this might sound a little strange comin’ from an old woman like me, but sometimes you gotta break the rules. Not all the rules, mind you. Some rules are there for a reason. But some rules, well, they’re just silly or outdated, or they keep people down. And those rules? Sometimes they need a little breakin’. Like that time they said women couldn’t vote. Thank goodness some brave women broke that rule, huh?
Takin’ a Compliment (and Knowin’ Your Worth)
Another thing about bein’ a well-behaved woman, or just a well-rounded person I reckon, is takin’ a compliment. If somebody says somethin’ nice to you, don’t go brushin’ it off. Don’t say, “Oh, it was nothin’.” Say “Thank you.” And mean it. ‘Cause you deserve it. Everybody deserves a little kindness and appreciation. And part of gettin’ that kindness is recognizing when someone’s offerin’ it to you.
Understandin’ What Makes You Special
And finally, I think a well-behaved woman, or any woman for that matter, needs to understand what makes her special. What makes her tick. What makes her shine. We all got somethin’ unique about us. Maybe you’re a good listener. Maybe you’re a great cook. Maybe you can make people laugh. Whatever it is, own it. Embrace it. And don’t let nobody tell you it ain’t good enough.
Too Nice Ain’t Always Nice
Now, there’s a difference between bein’ kind and bein’ a doormat. Some folks get those two mixed up. They think bein’ a well-behaved woman means always sayin’ yes, always puttin’ others first, even if it means hurtin’ yourself. But that ain’t right. You gotta have boundaries. You gotta know when to say no. You gotta take care of yourself, just like you take care of your family or your garden.
Well-Behaved Women and History
They say well-behaved women don’t make history. I reckon that’s true in a way. If you’re always followin’ the rules, always doin’ what’s expected, you ain’t gonna shake things up. You ain’t gonna change the world. But maybe, just maybe, we need to redefine what it means to be “well-behaved.” Maybe it don’t mean bein’ quiet and docile. Maybe it means bein’ strong, bein’ confident, bein’ yourself, and fightin’ for what’s right, even if it ain’t easy.
So, there you have it. My thoughts on bein’ a well-behaved woman. Take ‘em or leave ‘em. I ain’t tellin’ you how to live your life. But I hope I gave you somethin’ to think about. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go check on them chickens.
