And then, as I watched the rest of the commercial, my heart began to hurt. I was offended and shocked and...yes, hurt. Is this really what the world is coming to? To think that by making the choice to not have children "today" really would make my life the dream life that we all want. I could have the house and the boy and the vacation and the car... But the real kicker for me, and perhaps it's because I have a life within me or that I know a few too many people that want babies, was when the stork showed up and she non-chalantly pushed that baby away for a trip to Italy. For some reason, this hurts me the most. And I can't really explain why...but let me expand a bit...
This pregnancy has been a little weird for me. I really didn't think that 5 was that big of a deal. But apparently I do not share the same opinion with many of my friends and neighbors and family. Not that anyone has been openly rude, but it's not like I can't tell just how crazy you all think I am. Well, I have news for you. I'm not crazy. I am firm in my knowledge of what I want today, tomorrow, and especially forever. On one of my friends blogs I read this little quote, "If you think my hands are full then you should see my heart." If you could just have a look into my soul and know the amazing things I am learning. I knew a long time ago that having children would change me, but I didn't realize just how much I needed, and still need to change. Ezra Taft Benson said, "There are couples who think they are getting along just fine with their limited families but who will someday suffer the pains of remorse when they meet the spirits that might have been part of their posterity." And he continues, "The Lord did not say to multiply and replenish the earth if it is convenient, or if you are wealthy, or after you have gotten your schooling, or when there is peace on earth, or until you have four children."
I'll stop, at the risk of sounding any more preachy, because that is not my point. My point is that this commercial undermines everything I know. Everything I stand for. It undermines the beautiful spirits that I have brought into this world and are now an inseparable part of me. And I'm not saying that we should all have 10 kids, but I am saying that we are intelligent enough to look into the future and know that it's not the big house that makes us happy. It's not that trip to Paris that brings us joy and peace. I believe it comes in having someone(s) to share a life with. It comes in discovering our true potential as woman and especially as mothers. It comes in finding a balance. It comes with sacrifice and blessings that are more than I can fathom.
My opinion? The commercial sucks.
11 comments:
The thing about this commercial is that it isn't really catering to you, or to me. We are not who it is advertising to.
Obviously we have a bigger better perspective and know more - for this reason it doesn't really offend me. Sadly, that is how much of the world does think and those women are their target audience. And yes, that is pretty dang sad!
It's like any other TV show, or movie out there that promotes bad morals, or implies that everyone has bad morals. I avoid those types of shows, but when I do see one, I don't take personal offense or feel personally attacked for my beliefs (although I do feel disgusted). I just feel blessed that I have a better life than that, I have real insight and enlightenment and am so much happier than their intended demographic.
I love and totally agree with what Mrs. Bennett said (is that you, Michelle?).
I go to church with a lady who stopped after having three sons. Her hands were full and she thought she was done. She has told me numerous times to never make that declaration and to never do anything permanent unless you are absolutely certain your family is complete. Now that her sons are giving her grandbabies (only two so far), the void in her heart is beginning to fill. She told me how much she wished she would have had more.
And she had more than the average 2.4 kids.
Yes colds1 (cindy!) I'm Michelle!
I agree. I did NOT like the commercial. I am glad that you don't let what the world thinks affect your beliefs on mothering and families. I look up to you and I am grateful for your example.
I can't say it as eloquently as you do, but what I will say is, I agree 100%!
Nothing like a little controversy...
If you listen to her saying the name of the drug it sounds to me like she is saying B.S. I'm not sure what that stands for though. ;)
Oops! I didn't realize Tyler was signed in to his Google account when I left the comment.
Michelle, I agree with you on some level--I don't usually let things bother me. Politics...whatever. However, there seems to be a few things that get under my skin and I'm sure if you think about it then you will find a few things that get under your skin too :). It's strange though the things that bother me and the things that I really couldn't care less about. A year or so ago some old Sundbird was harping in the paper about a speeding ticket he got that he admitted he deserved but gave several bogus reasons why he thought he shouldn't have received. This ruffled my feathers like a good wind storm. Why? I have no idea. But it did. I suppose it's the same with this commercial. It's just one of those things...
Oh things definitely get under my skin. I hate it when people outright criticize the mormon church, for one thing. I hate it when people talk politics who are not informed. Believe me, there are MANY things that get me CRAZY. I should just shrug everything off, but I don't either. This particular thing doesn't bother me, although I completely see your point and agree with you. I'm just saying - one way to avoid getting angry about these types of ads is to see that they (those behind the ad) just don't see... at all! But again, I realize I am being a bit hypocritical because I don't do that for everything myself.
Well said. You are definitely right.
Jeri Dawn, it is beautiful you feel this way. Never stop bearing your testimony of it. The world needs to hear it. I feel much the same way and it makes my soul ache to see men and women fall into these mindsets... especially LDS men and women.
I actually almost started to cry during that commerical when the stork was following her around the store. I wanted to scream... take the baby... just take it... don't you know what he is offereing you... the chance to give someone else their IMMORTAL body and chance at exhaltation. A trip to Italy pales BIG time next to that.
Also here is a quote by Sister Beck in her article in the ensign this month
"Satan knows that he will never have a body; he will never have a family. So he targets young women, who will create the bodies for the future generations... Anti-Christ is antifamily. Any doctrine or principle our youth hear from the world that is antifamily is also anti-Christ."
Keep talking and bearing testimony... the world needs to hear it and many more like it.
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