I was thinking today about empowering moments in my life, underdog moments, rising above it, I don’t give a shit what you think moments.

They come down to being told “no,” and doing it anyway. They’re defiant moments.  I was told I couldn’t be in AP English, but I took the official AP test anyway, and placed out of my first-year college English requirement. At North Hills, Lea had to race against the boys in the 8 and Under 25-yard event and was told that she shouldn’t bother competing. She came in first place. Tell me no, and time how fast I prove you wrong moments.Rudy moments. Standing on your desk Dead Poet Society moments.

Empowering moments sometimes boil down to integrity moments, doing what’s hard instead of what’s easy. High road moments. These are trickier. I think of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. She wants that money, needs that money, but she ironically “closes her eyes and swallows,” leaving the cash on the bedside table. Integrity moment. Scent of A Woman: he was pretty much offered a scholarship into Harvard if he ratted the boys out, but he didn’t do what was easy, or even self-serving, he did what was right. Actually, now that I think about it, those integrity moments aren’t very “how do you like me now!” They’re quieter. And probably not all that fulfilling in and of themselves unless you have a loud-mouth there to go off on your behalf. Sometimes though, it’s enough to know within yourself that you took the high road. I prefer the loud-mouths and wish there were more Lt. Col. Frank Slade’s in the world. My grandfather papoo was of that ilk. And dick or not, what a wonderful character capable of sucking the marrow from life. Not always empowered, certainly not about integrity, but man could he live. Drinking is starting early today. Loud hear-me-roar clit-rock to follow.

Anyone know of any CURRENT, UPBEAT fem empowerment music? I’m updating myPod for some cardio… something as good as Meredith Brooks’s Bitch? But more current?

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