Dear Amy Glass,
Your post went viral, and alas, I stepped in it – quite accidently, I assure you.
At first, I had to laugh at myself a bit – normally I don’t find this sort of internet fodder worthy of consideration; especially since the ironically named “Thought Catalog” is nothing more than a trolling base. But as I peeled back the layers of your post, I found something quite disturbing.
The post was more than just a misguided perception of what it means to be a woman (so misguided, in fact, I would argue whether you really are a woman or whether you ever had a decent female role model in your life) – it was a reflection of a growing selfish cultism that seems to be infecting our society. More and more, it seems that the needs and desires of individuals are usurping the needs and traditions of the community. The advocacy for absolute selfishness amongst today’s youth is frankly quite frightening.
To use your own example, a woman who chooses to hike across Asia is more worthy of celebration than a woman who chooses to spend 9 months growing and birthing another human being, not to mention the commitments that follow that event. Like a majority of mothers, I disagree with you. Motherhood, though commonplace, is the single most exceptional thing that we can experience as human beings; and it is a milestone of life well worth celebration. It is the nearest thing to God we could ever hope to be in our lifetimes.
Hiking across Asia, though an accomplishment in its own right, is nothing compared to the sacrifice and commitment of becoming a mother. A hike is a luxury – a frivolity of experience across weeks or perhaps months. Being a parent is a true challenge that requires every ounce of dedication you can muster – for the rest of your life.
It is the sacrifice of parenthood that is exceptional. Sacrifice - it is the concept that your life isn’t about making you happy – it’s about choosing to make others happy. It’s choosing selflessness over selfishness. It is the satisfaction in giving rather than receiving. It is the discovery of self-worth through empowerment rather than entitlement.
Your “I’m not sorry” post is riddled with ridicule for the art of sacrifice and those of us that have mastered it; much like many of the other egocentric posts on the website regarding love, marriage, parenthood, and friendship. And that is why I fear for you, and those that think like you.
I may not be a worldly traveler; rather, I chose to become many other things that are of more value to me: I am a mother. I am a wife. I am a homeowner. I am a business woman. I am a contributor. I am a warrior. I am an innovator. I am a creator. I am an advocate. I am everything I ever set my mind to be. I am without regrets. And oh, yes - I am exceptional. Even better, is that I am not alone. There are plenty of successful women like me, who have gladly made the sacrifices necessary to surround themselves with everything they ever wanted in their lives, and they are making it work every single day. I assure you that we are well above the pity or judgment of an immature, inexperienced blogger such as you.
Good luck to you, Amy Glass. May you discover more than just yourself in your journey.
You have my prayers as I wipe your post from beneath my heel.
With sincerity,
Rachea Pendley
To read Amy Glass' article, click here
Your post went viral, and alas, I stepped in it – quite accidently, I assure you.
At first, I had to laugh at myself a bit – normally I don’t find this sort of internet fodder worthy of consideration; especially since the ironically named “Thought Catalog” is nothing more than a trolling base. But as I peeled back the layers of your post, I found something quite disturbing.
The post was more than just a misguided perception of what it means to be a woman (so misguided, in fact, I would argue whether you really are a woman or whether you ever had a decent female role model in your life) – it was a reflection of a growing selfish cultism that seems to be infecting our society. More and more, it seems that the needs and desires of individuals are usurping the needs and traditions of the community. The advocacy for absolute selfishness amongst today’s youth is frankly quite frightening.
To use your own example, a woman who chooses to hike across Asia is more worthy of celebration than a woman who chooses to spend 9 months growing and birthing another human being, not to mention the commitments that follow that event. Like a majority of mothers, I disagree with you. Motherhood, though commonplace, is the single most exceptional thing that we can experience as human beings; and it is a milestone of life well worth celebration. It is the nearest thing to God we could ever hope to be in our lifetimes.
Hiking across Asia, though an accomplishment in its own right, is nothing compared to the sacrifice and commitment of becoming a mother. A hike is a luxury – a frivolity of experience across weeks or perhaps months. Being a parent is a true challenge that requires every ounce of dedication you can muster – for the rest of your life.
It is the sacrifice of parenthood that is exceptional. Sacrifice - it is the concept that your life isn’t about making you happy – it’s about choosing to make others happy. It’s choosing selflessness over selfishness. It is the satisfaction in giving rather than receiving. It is the discovery of self-worth through empowerment rather than entitlement.
Your “I’m not sorry” post is riddled with ridicule for the art of sacrifice and those of us that have mastered it; much like many of the other egocentric posts on the website regarding love, marriage, parenthood, and friendship. And that is why I fear for you, and those that think like you.
I may not be a worldly traveler; rather, I chose to become many other things that are of more value to me: I am a mother. I am a wife. I am a homeowner. I am a business woman. I am a contributor. I am a warrior. I am an innovator. I am a creator. I am an advocate. I am everything I ever set my mind to be. I am without regrets. And oh, yes - I am exceptional. Even better, is that I am not alone. There are plenty of successful women like me, who have gladly made the sacrifices necessary to surround themselves with everything they ever wanted in their lives, and they are making it work every single day. I assure you that we are well above the pity or judgment of an immature, inexperienced blogger such as you.
Good luck to you, Amy Glass. May you discover more than just yourself in your journey.
You have my prayers as I wipe your post from beneath my heel.
With sincerity,
Rachea Pendley
To read Amy Glass' article, click here
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