What Makes a Woman Dangerous

Do you equate dangerous with the role Glenn Close played in "Fatal Attraction", or does it come closer to Reese Witherspoon's role in "Walk the Line"? If the latter is your ideal definition, then we're on the same page.

You see, in this fast-paced, always-awake society, our roles are shifting as fast as our environments are changing. There was a time if you overheard "Oh, she's just a horrible woman!", you instantly assumed some cunning woman was having an affair with a man whose wife was passive and maybe even predictable. Not so much anymore, though.

As women are constantly redefining their roles, with the current trend being towards a more feminine, yet assertive, role, it's certainly not indicative of a collective sacrifice looming on the horizon. In fact, it's anything but a sacrifice. Although we seem to be less concerned with how others view us, up to and including our own families, we're certainly tightening our grip on what we conceive for our own futures.

So what is it we need to carry us into our newly-defined and brightly polished futures? Ah...that's the easy part. Used to be a nine millimeter handgun and a certification in our wallets as proof of successfully completing a self-defense class could pretty much garner a declaration of, "Yep, that's a dangerous one". I think now, though, we've found a new comfort level that doesn't include four pounds of steel in our purses or proof in our wallets that we are indeed tough. In fact, I think most would agree that we, as women, are quite happy with our new "devil may care" attitudes. We're pulling out all the stops. And don't you think it's about time?

We're not hiding our Botox injections. If we've a fancy to keep a standing appointment, then we'll walk through a tornado to get to that appointment with no apologies and absent dark sunglasses as we enter the doctor's office. And if we don't have such inclinations? That's OK too. I think we've come full circle and realized that there's no division in those who do and those who don't. I can drink a cold beer with a friend who's arrived with newly-acquired needle marks in her forehead as I can with another friend who's arrived with newly-acquired grass stains on her jeans from her gardening efforts earlier that day.

So what's on our must-read lists? You might find that surprising as well. We still love cheesy romantic novels, but in our efforts to become more dangerous, we're more likely to have just read "How to Install Wiring in Your New Home" and maybe even "How To Win Friends and Influence People". Not only are we broadening these horizons for the right reasons, but we're loving every sentence we read. It's reminiscent of days past that we soaked up the sun rays....you know, back when we weren't scolded for doing so.

We're happy with John McCain's choice for a vice president running mate because she's solid. It has absolutely nothing to do with the estrogen flowing through her veins. We're not so impressed with the recent scandals former presidential candidates have found themselves in. And we've no interest in biting our tongues about our fierce disapproval.

If we're wives, we want to be the best we can and we don't want to have to sacrifice anything that's absolutely necessary for a successful marriage. We want the same loyalty we've afforded our marriages. If we're single, we don't want to keep defending that either. Rest assured, we're wise enough to know if the day comes and we choose to not be single, we'll know what to do. We're tired of spending so much energy trying to bust the stereotype that includes adjectives such as "bitter" and "jaded".

So coming full circle and being okay with our new definitions, despite all of the differences, it really comes down to a simple desire. It's peace. It's peace for our souls and peace in knowing those we love are safe and have their own overflowing cups of peace.