"The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act." - Rick Warren
Women are often judged by how they express themselves - the way they think, feel, speak, act, move, walk, sit, stand, look, dress, handle or manage things, and treat or deal with people - as a lady. How we are tells who we are and what kind of person we are.
It is likely that every girl hears "act like a lady" from their mothers at certain points in their life. It involves a number of well-thought-out manners that might not come naturally. I have gathered a few simple steps, which can help anyone be a lady:
Be polite. A lady should keep a cool head under pressure and outwit her adversaries with meaningful, well chosen words.
Maintain a well-groomed appearance. Grooming is a sign to the outside world that a woman is lady-like. Instead of throwing on tattered sweats, choose a nicely fitted jogging suit to run errands. Instead of leaving the house with no make-up, try a quick 5-minute face lift in the morning. Carry your sense of being a lady in your wardrobe. Always wear clothing appropriate for the occasion.
Educate yourself. Today's proverbial "lady" should be educated and able to hold up her end of conversation. By staying on top of world events and keeping your mind active through reading and meaningful television viewing, you can carry on a conversation charged with intellectual interest.
Be independent. In a drastic shift away from traditional ideas of lady-like, the contemporary woman is considered a lady if she can stand on her own two feet. Women hold down careers, raise children, or live the single life dependent upon their choices and preferences. An independent woman is the pinnacle of lady-like.
Nurture kindness. Perhaps the most recognizable sign of a lady is kindness. Whether a woman is kind to her parents, lover, friends, or the community at large, hardly any other characteristic is as valuable and contagious.
I came across a quiz on the net. It is called "Are You A Lady?". So, I checked the boxes which applied to me. Then, I got the result. It says, "Overall, I am a refined lady with excellent manners. But I also know when to relax and not get too serious about etiquette." It is true. It is me! I have been brought up to be modest and proper, above all, to be respectful.
Our manners tell our background - the environment we grew up in - our family, friends, school, church, and our community. So, it is really not just ourselves that we project to the world, but also those who helped and contributed to our identity and individuality. So, it really matters, whether we are a boy or a girl, that we become a gentleman or a lady towards one another.
Men and women are created equal by God. By that I mean, we do things the other does, we excel in things the other does; we complement each other, we are a part of each other. When men show the effort - open the door for us, escort us while crossing the street, help us carry our shopping bags, and the like - women should acknowledge and appreciate them. According to Sherry Argov, author of Why Men Love Bitches, "If you give him a feeling of power, he will want to protect you and he will want to give you the world." Why chivalry should not be dead? It should not be dead! It feels great to be a lady and to be treated as one.
