Weighing The Duchess

Last weekend I was at home on a Sunday night I was in the mood for a real movie, what I mean by that is one that I could stick my teeth in.  A story that would create great thought and intrigue and allow input in my assessments of life.  Sometimes when you look, you get exactly what you are looking for, I came across The Duchess.

The actors I recognized right away were Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes, so I immediately knew the movie would be well acted.  The paragraph describing the movie on Verizon Demand stated: A chronicle of the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire, who was reviled for her extravagant political and personal life.

Though the description implied that the story would be tragic, I proceeded to watch through the eyes of a person who has watched a million plus Hollywood movies where they were able to spin even biographies with tragic endings so that the life lived satisfied the end.

This was the wrong perception to have for this movie, because as the story unfolded and I viewed The Duchess being placed in the hands of man she didn't love and didn't love her, as I observed her effort to provide her husband with a male heir all the while her husband bedded various women he came across with the physique he truly desired, and as I solemnly took in her awakening of true love only to curve it whilst remaining in a loveless marriage for her children...the time ticked by and I began to realize there would be no redemption to this story.

However in hindsight I have come to realize there has been redemption and there can continue to be redemption for The Duchess and those who share a similar story.  When we as women take hold of our new found strength to maneuver, freedom of choice and voice to state what we want and need and place these yearnings into fruition and finally the option to not back ourselves into a life not wanted.  To keep the redemption going we can also raise beautiful women to do the same and encourage our friends and every other woman walking this earth to do the same.

Though this movie as a whole will always remain imprinted in my mind, there was one moment that stood out the most.  The Duchess was wearing one of her extravagant attires on the night of their wedding.  As he quietly undressed her without permission or warning, he commented, "For the life of  me, I can never understand why women's clothes need to be so damn complicated?" The Duchess responded though his comment might have been rhetorical, "Its our way of expressing ourselves I suppose."  Of course he did not understand this and asked, "Whatever do you mean?" She answered, "Well you have so many ways of expressing yourselves, whereas we have to make do with our hats and our dresses."

Well women of the world we still have our hats and our dresses but we have so much more available to us. This August marked the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. constitution which granted women the right to vote nationwide.  Progression was not so long ago, and it's up to us to continually use everything we have to make our marks and live our lives to the fullest.  Let us not forget where we came from because it helps to steer us in the direction of where we are going.

In weighing The Duchess, I give it 600lbs, though very depressing as I left out a lot which may cause you to repel. I still would say at least one view is most definitely a good decision and may help to serve as a constant reminder of how precious the liberties we have today would have been to a woman of the past.

Weighing The Duchess
Submitted by: Jamees Wright
Weight Total: 600 lbs Good Decision

Weighing Choices

In a world of change, discovery and extreme variety we as humans come across Choices on a daily basis. Simple choices like what to eat, what to wear or maybe what to watch on television on a given night. Life changing choices such as where to live, who to love, or the choice of occupation. Let me back up here because sometimes your choice on what to eat, wear or watch on television at night can become life changing depending on your given situation.

But this entry is more about the most common life changing choices that we come across. A Choice is defined in dictionary.com as an act or instance of choosing, the right, power, opportunity to choose; the option.  If you have ever felt down, perhaps helpless did you use your right, power or opportunity to choose a different scenario for yourself? Have you realized you have the option to do so?

A choice is also defined as an alternative, an abundance of variety from which to choose. Speaking from my own experiences I believe sometimes variety can be scary, sometimes the alternative is not as good as what you have been doing. But that is all fine and dandy as long as the status quo satisfies you, and if not well maybe its time to shop around.

A choice is also something that is preferred or preferable to others; the best part of something. If you're lucky to find your preference at your first job or living where you grew up; I say great for you. But if not, don't be afraid to find out if you have the preferred, the best for you, by moving to a new location, trying a new hobby,  or perhaps start with spaghetti with three cheeses instead of just the one.

I believe the most important definitions of Choice are; a carefully selected supply, worthy of being chosen, carefully selected. If I learned anything about choices, it is that each one you make there is always another side, a choice not chosen. When we dwell on the choices we didn't make it can often lead to regret. However if we make careful selections and make a point to remember the reasons for the chosen you may realize that you have made the right choice.

Choices have a weight of about 800 lbs because they are important but are not the priority. I believe enjoying the choices you make, learning from them, and preparing for the next choices are the priorities in life.

Weighing Choices
Submitted by: Jamees Wright
Weight Total: 800 lbs Important

Weighing Consideration

Lately I have been thinking about what makes a relationship work? There are all the ordinary answers love, respect, trust and the list goes on.  Of course these answers are all true, and are undeniable.  However, I always felt as though there might be one key answer, one answer that would link all the others.  For me that answer is Consideration.

Consideration defined in dictionary.com as careful thought; meditation; deliberation, something that is or is to be kept in mind in making a decision, thoughtful or sympathetic regard or respect; thoughtfulness for others, as well as a thought or reflection to name a few.

Imagine that, imagine how simple life would be if you considered your mate and your mate considered you.  Think about the arguments that could be avoided, the mistakes that could be sidetracked.  It is usually when I have skipped the necessary step which is to think about the next person that I create an error in judgement.

Have you really listened to your partner lately? In your last decision did you factor him/her in? Or are you on cruise control? I like that, because cruise control is a quick way to fall asleep and get into an accident.

Another quick definition of consideration is estimation; esteem.  Do you hold your partner in great esteem? That also goes a long way.  I notice that when someone is held in great esteem, people will tend to do a little extra for them.  A great example of this is when the President comes to town, the town will close their streets, create welcoming signs, prepare a speech.  What do you do for your significant other when they're around to show them their worth?

Consideration is also defined as a recompense or payment, as for work done; compensation.  A job well done should never be ignored in a relationship, whether it happens all the time or its a once in a blue occurrence.  Reward the good times, the good deeds and most likely they will continue.

I strongly encourage you to try consideration, even in the smallest of things, practice it daily with everyone you meet. I bet you will see life in a new light.  And hopefully maybe you can encourage others to do the same. Consideration is definitely weighed in as 1 Ton a complete priority.

Weighing Consideration 
Submitted by: Jamees Wright
Weight Total: 1 Ton Priority