There is no try, only do.

I realize (after googling it) that the actual Yoda quote is "Do or do not.  There is no try."  But there is no try, only do works better for me.  I hear from my historian husband that changing quotes around to suit your needs it totally legit.

One of my personal epiphanies in France was that I have spent way too much of my adult life worrying about what other people think and being afraid to be myself.  On our last night with the study abroad students my advice to them was to take something they had learned while in Paris and let it change them.  Don't come home and fall into the same routine and the same habits.  Be different, be better for having lived in France.  And so I am trying to accept my own challenge and DO more of what feels right to me and allows me to be myself.

STEP ONE:  Wear pants to church.

Last year a group of Mormon feminists sponsored a wear "Wear Pants to Church" event.  Who knew a seemingly simple act (women wearing pants to church) would create such an uproar.  I was a little disgusted and frightened by the negativity that many Mormons expressed for those women who would consider such a disrespectful act.  So . . . I chickened out.  After church I looked online saw pictures of the many brave women in pants (including my sister) and wished I had been more courageous.

This year I put on my new European attitude and my dress pants.  Libby wanted to be a part of the pants party and seemed to have none of the fear that I had.

For me, wearing pants was a way to DO something.  I've been frustrated for years at the gender inequality at church and I was grateful to have some way to show that not everyone who faithfully attends church is satisfied with the way that women are treated.  I'll admit, however, I was glad we were sneaking out early to go to a mission farewell so that I wouldn't have to talk to anyone.

What I learned:  being true to yourself for an hour at church is pretty great.

Doing my best to raise little feminists.