Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Bring Lovely Back

Lately, in the outside world, I've been noticing how women are talking and expressing themselves.  Some are trying to show their strength by talking rough, edgy, harsh, loud.  They embellish tough behavior and their position in life.  Having the heritage that I do, I know a little something about strength and endurance, but we can be strong and lovely at the same time.   I think some believe that if one talks sweet or demure, it's a sign of weakness.  When actually, strength is inside of us, and when we are whole inside, our words come out honest and true.  We don't have to be outrageously lovely to talk lovely.  My aunt was a very simple looking woman, but she talked calm, with grace and kindness.  Let us bring back the lovely in women, with a freshness all of its own, and I will start with me and my own daughters.


~Sheri

38 comments:

syros2js said...

You are right, Sheri!
I agree with you (even though I get a bit loud sometimes -when I am angry!- but thankfully this doesn't happen often!)
;-)
Hugs and kisses, my friend!

Susie said...

Sheri, All of you girls are gorgeous. I know what you mean. I worked a basically man job, but I wore my makeup and did my hair. Using I tied my hair back. I did start cussing at work. It took me a while to stop. I just had to go toe to toe with some of the men. I have gone off and cried before too, because I still had feelings. I had 6 brothers , so I could hold my own, it still hurt at times. I wasn't a raving crazy, mind you, but I could get my dander up. I have put men in their places. I too like the gentlewomen . My mom was not one of those, believe me. LOL. Bless you sweetheart, susie

Teresa said...

No one stopped to say and show them "You're Lovely. Keep that way.", I guess.
They are not living in beauty and warmth, I guess.
They don't let themselves be touched by lovely souls and lovely faces in photos that "say" "shout" so much more that "we are family", like your photo does.
They don't stop to appreciate the lines on the faces that are timeless, the shine in amazing eyes, the comfortable and somehow wondering tilt of heads... and so much more that THIS picture of you and lovely Nel and Jess screams into the hearts of each of your loved ones that include long distance friends and out of reach friends like me.
Poor lost souls who turn their backs, shut their hearts and divert their eyes from YOUR Beauty! Lucky me I stopped by,
Teresa

PS - I'm a lovely one (and what it says of me - and the world - when I'm almost afraid of confessing this self-serving "sin"?!?!) and today I go even beyond that to appreciate this lovely photo of my favorite people in the wwworld. xox

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Sheri I love this so much. You're right - being nice and kind and soft is NOT a sign of weakness. Being nice is one of the most amazing acts of strength that one can choose...

Things and Thoughts said...

Beauties, angels... I think that most times our faces describe our characters and speak of us.Loveliness and modesty, these are values for our behavior.
So glad to have "meet" you!
Olympia

Mary Palumbo Collings said...

Well said Sheri !!! You and your daughters are lovely, in every way. Have a wonderful day …
XOXO Mary

It's me said...

What a Nice picture from you and your daughter's Nice to see...love from me Ria...x!

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Sheri,
So beautifully written and so lovely of you and your dear daughters.
I have "seen," the change too, Sheri.
For some odd reason some women have the impression that being brazen, rude and displaying lack of manners indicates strength. Just the opposite is true in my view-it is a sign of weakness and lack of respect for themselves.
I am with you, dear Sheri-lets bring back Lovely, which is true indicator of strength and honor.

Love~
Jemma

CraveCute said...

Sheri I agree the we all, male and female should be careful of our words! I never heard my mother utter a curse word, ever! I always admired that she could communicate without using them. Me, not so much! Sometimes I do use "bad" words when I get angry, but never in my everyday conversation.

Tammy said...

I couldn't agree more, Sheri. Girls are so harsh. I believe in strong women, but I also believe in the beauty and power of femininity. We don't need to act like men to be respected by men, and that is what so many young girls are misunderstanding these days.

xo

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Sheri, you are so right. I don't know what their parents are thinking, but it has to stem from
home. Your daughters are so beautiful inside and out. Everything in this world is changing so. I feel that a lot of the young girls like the entertainers who are half clothed and wild manners. They are not good role models for the young girls to follow.
Guess I am old fashioned.
Have a wonderful week pretty lady.
Mary

Dee said...

Sheri, I love that picture of you and your daughters and you ladies do all look very lovely. This was a great post, too and I couldn't agree more with what you said. I wish more mother's taught their daughters this valuable lesson.

Also, thank you for the sweet comment and I was tickled pink when you added me to your lovely blogs. It truly made my day... :)

Sola Scriptura said...

What a lovely post! It is so true that real loveliness comes from within, a gentle and kind spirit is more lovely than anything else!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Sheri,

So beautifully said and such gorgeous photos of you, Jess and Nel.
I do think that beauty from the inside shows on the outside.
Hope you are enjoying a beautiful week
hugs
Carolyn

TARYTERRE said...

Wonderfully put.

From The Heart said...

You girls are gorgeous!Ladies should act like ladies..

Merlesworld said...

You are so right I never make my mind up about people till I know them well, not just women but some men who do not come across as strong but they are in different ways and women can be clever and tough but still keep their grace.
Merle...........

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You are all so beautiful. I have 4 sons and missed having a daughter. I know you have a special relationship with them. Boys are great too though! lol Hugs, Diane

Lucy@heart and hearth said...

Gorgeous girls all of you.
"Being a lady" sure does need reviving doesn't it? you and your girls and four of my own will be a start to lovely!
Thank you Sheri.

Dewena said...

Well said, Sheri! May your thoughts and intentions spread far and wide.

Here's a quote for you. I kept saving it for a post of my own but yours says it better than I ever could:

"Women do not find it difficult nowadays to behave like men, but they often find it extremely difficult to behave like gentlemen."
Compto MacKenzie in September 1942
Ladies Home Journal

I'm all for bringing lovely back!

Shine said...

Beautiful post. So happy there are some truly lovely women still out there. Thank you for such a sweet reminder. You and your daughters are a true picture of loveliness...it just shines "true". Blessings

Terra said...

I agree, speak softly and with conviction and that is enough. Your daughters look lovely and like they embrace your ideas.

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

Hello Sheri
I agree with you wholeheartedly!
Being feminine and ladylike is so attractive.
I wonder if some of this harshness comes from all the 'reality' type tv shows where girls are trying to be tough like the boys - just a theory!
A gorgeous photo - showing feminine loveliness all three of you!
Hugs
Shane

Patricia said...

So true, and so beautifully expressed Sheri. I think that is what I aim for: to be both strong and lovely. I am a work in progress.
What a beautiful picture of you three gorgeous women. xxx

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dearest Sheri! I am finally here. I had a late night, unable to get back to my computer.

You are so right. Strength is within. You can be small, unassuming, kind and gentle, and the world thinks you are weak. That is how my mother was seen, and that is how I too am seen. But my mother gave the ultimate proof that she was far from being weak. Dying of a cancer that overtook her body, her spirit soared in strength, and in her quiet spirit, she demonstrated that she was ready and not afraid to pass.

Some people at work think I am soft and weak because I am kind to the kids. AU CONTRAIRE - I know who I am. Being civil, gentle on the outside but determined, ready, focused and true on the inside is how we will survive.

Your post is outstanding and it needs to be discussed, for sure.

AND....this photo....my goodness, this is so fun to see all of you together, and I can assume this is recent? You are all so gorgeous!

I can't wait to chat. Brava my dear friend, for this post. Anita

miss b said...

An interesting post and food for thought. I agree and believe that women (and men too) can be strong and successful without being unkind and ruthless. Being lovely and still strong is a very attractive feature. That's a beautiful photo of you and your daughters!
Thank you so much for your comment on my last post. Your kind words really made my day!

Rustic Vintage Country said...

I absolutely, totally agree with you! Suzy xo

Attic Clutter said...

Oh Sheri
u are all so pretty..
love this ..
simple looking woman, but she talked calm, with grace and kindness..
so true- I wish I had a softer quieter voice ..LOL
am working on it at the age of 66 HA.. I guess its never too late huh?
'''
hugs,Patty

abrianna said...

I agree that in this day and age lovely or kind is confused with weakness. I am trying to show my blessing that kindness and compassion are good things.

This is also the reason why her on line name is Blessing and why I introduce her to others as "this is my blessing, " then say her name. I am so sick and tired of this culture looking down on children!

This is also why I take the photos I do. Lovely can be in a funny photo, a photo of decaying leaves, etc... Is it fun to do an edgy, gritty photo-sure and even that can still be lovely. When you look at high fashion photos, so many of them are just eh to me because so may of them have that hardness and while it is interesting to see the details of clothes or make up the over all hardness does not appeal to me. And that's good since I don't want to photograph in that style anyway :)

Unknown said...

How beautiful ya'll are. And beautifully written.
I agree.

Riitta Sinikka said...

♥Hello dear friend! so lovely photo; beautiful girls! ♥ xxx Riitta♥

Deborah Montgomery said...

I'm a new visitor to your blog. This is a lovely post, and I so agree with you. Softness and strength combined is a beautiful thing.

Anonymous said...

Sheri,
I'm back to blogging again and this is a lovely post to read. Inner strength is a beautiful quality to see and I have seen a few of those so far.

Great photo of you and your daughter! Bx

Aida said...

Oh my lovely sweet dear friend, you just made me feel so much better. Women like that can be intimidating but I just feel sorry for them coz they lack graces and poise. I for one is so shy and quiet and kind and I know that is a strength on its own.
Thank you for your beautiful post. You and your daughters are beautiful!
Happy weekend dear

Antee Gurung said...

wow that is such a beautiful thought. yes we should bring back the lovely instead of just labelling how women should be!!!

stay in touch hun!!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

What a lovely photo of you 3 ladies. I agree with your post and the way words are expressed. It's sad to hear the speech young children on a playground use, seems as there is no love or guidance in such young souls.I moved over to wordpress, and forgot to shoot you a message. Sorry for the delay.

Imagery by Kimberly said...

(((You)))

always lovely, always loving.

xo,
Kim

Anonymous said...

Very well stated, lovely friend. I don't think it's a sign of weakness to express ourselves gracefully, but I do believe that whatever our personalities, some soft-spoken and others more passionate, kindness and genuineness are the loveliest of all.
xoxo