Yesterday was International Women’s Day.  This actually ties into my perception post from yesterday.  I was thinking about the ways that my perceptions are filtered.  For example, I’ve been looking at house designs and came across an advert for an $800 toilet.  I was shocked the then, I have NO idea how much a good toilet costs and, if I had to go without, or pay $800, I would find it would be a cost I would incur.  (I just looked. Home Depot has them for $179 + tax.)

My mom made me take auto shop in high school, so I have some understanding of a car and how it works and some of the parts that are frequently mentioned.  I’ve changed oil once in my life (in the class) and never since.  (Mostly because I worry about the jack.)  I’ve only made one used car and one new car purchase.  I have a motorcycle license but never rode again beyond getting the license.

While I don’t have kids, being the oldest of 6, with the youngest born when I was 13 1/2 years old, means I can swap diaper-changing, kid vomiting, lunch packing and homework helping stories with anyone.  I was single for a very long time (in some relationships for part of the time, but never committed long-term) and only married late in life.  I recall one coworker asking me how married life was now and then was shocked to find that my husband and I work on the same floor at our company.  She said she’d be like “You left the milk out again!” but since marriage is still so new and different than so much of my life, I don’t have that same perception.

Back to Women’s Day.  I’m glad to see all of the discussions that are taking place and I’m working towards breaking free from my own self-imposed or self-tolerated restrictions.  I’m also talking to people, (not just women) about taking action, starting with the simple things.

I was grocery shopping and the clerk came out of the backroom to find a cart had been pushed close to the doors, so that he hit the cart walking out.  He made comments about that not being a good place for the cart, so I asked him why he left it in that spot.  He replied he didn’t know why but still left the cart in the same unsafe spot.  It’s difficult to take action in the right direction, if you aren’t used to taking any action at all.

I’ll think more about my “miss” perceptions as well as my white colored lenses, and think of some changes I can make to change my views.

After posting, I saw this on Facebook.  Definitely good points!