virtuous

I am not better than you. 

Women are not the keepers of virtue. Women are not inherently born with or capable of greater virtue. We are not superior. 

I am not responsible for the virtue of the men around me.

Women are not here to keep the sin of men in check. Women are not here to keep the men around them virtuous. Or one man virtuous. 

Either you have character or you don’t. Either you have a worthy moral standard or you don’t. Either you have virtue or you don’t. No one else can make you have that. 

Men are just as capable as women of being virtuous. Of having character.

Yes, we should all inspire each other to grow in virtue and character. 

Yes, the relationships that mean the most to us should be the very ones that inspire us to be the best version of ourselves. To lean into the fullness of life that is available… to each of us (not to only some of us, or only one gender of us). 

I’m tired of being the standard. And I’m tired of others disqualifying themselves by comparison. 

Of course I want to always be learning and growing. And of course, I’d sincerely love to be an inspiration to you to do the same on your own journey… whether you’re a man or a woman. And of course, I am inspired by you. 

But please don’t perpetuate the trope that women are the keepers of virtue for men. And please don’t discredit yourself. Or give me more credit than I am due.

I’m tired of the trope. I’m tired of the comparison. I don’t want to be your standard or your enforcer. That’s demeaning to each side of the equation. 

We all can learn from each other. We all can inspire each other.

Please don’t sell yourself short or abdicate your place. 

Or make mine more important than it is… I’m too tired.