Why Entitlement is Not Ok

So there's this plague in society and it's called Entitlement.

en.ti.tle.ment (noun): the feeling or belief that you deserve to be given something (such as special privileges).

I don't think that anyone really is 100% immune from this entitlement disease-I know that I act entitled more often than I am proud of really. But the problem is that this entitlement makes humans act disrespectfully and condescendingly toward other people. And guess what ladies, I'm talking to y'all.

Meet my childhood idol:

I cannot tell you how much I loved Shania Twain. Every word to every song all the time. And she was all about girl power-so from a young age I believed that women deserved respect, had power to pursue their dreams, and could change their world. And I still believe that 100%. I believe that women should get an education, should work hard, should be intelligent, should be able to work in whatever corporation they want, should be subject to equal pay, and should be able to have a powerful influence. The problem is when this notion of equality becomes superiority.

Lately, I have seen/heard/read too much about women demeaning men. And guess what? It's not ok. Since when did it become ok for women to treat men like their are inferior, like they are stupid, and like they don't work hard? A few examples:

• My friend recently went grocery shopping for his wife and took his young son with him. Not only did my friend have his hands full with a toddler and groceries, he also had an injured knee and was limping quite a bit. While a couple of people stopped to help him, many women were quite rude to him. Some women made comments like, "Oh, it's mommy's day off. Good for her!" or "You probably never realized how hard moms really have it." Now, I am not saying that mothers do not work hard. I have an amazing mother who has taught me so much. She works every day to cook meals, do laundry, teach piano lessons, run errands, take her kids to all of their activities, and the list could go on and on. And I honestly don't know how moms do it all and keep their sanity. However, this does not mean that she was better than my father. My dad woke up early every single day to go to work and provide for my family. Then he would come home and help my mom around the house. Never did my mom imply that she worked harder than my father or that he was lazy or that he could never understand how hard her poor life was. It was a team effort. Men make an incredible contribution to the home, and their efforts should be recognized rather than scorned.
• I recently read a blog about a woman who asked her husband to pick up groceries on his way home. Among other things, he was supposed to bring home hamburger meat. When he returned home, his wife realized that he had bought 70/30 meat instead of 80/20. The author talks about berating her husband for being so stupid and not knowing exactly what kind of meat he should have bought. Didn't he know that 80/20 meat was more lean? And shouldn't he have read her mind to know that 80/20 meat was the kind she ALWAYS bought? Well the story ends well with the author realizing how demeaning she had been to her husband, but this is a classic example of men being treated like they are inferior and cannot think for themselves. If the roles had been reversed in this story, we would have seen this woman on Dr. Phil saying how emotionally abusive her husband was. So why is it ok for women to be emotionally abusive? Why would you ever let 80/20 hamburger meat excuse you for treating your husband poorly? Isn't your marriage worth more than a couple pounds of animal meat? 
• A few days ago I saw a Buzzfeed article--something about 6 reasons why you can't keep his interest-or something stupid like that. Well the whole article was very demeaning to men. The one that killed me the most was "If he acts like a child then you should treat him like a child. He'll eventually figure it out and shape up." No. When is it ever ok to treat a grown man, your equal, like a child? No one likes being treated condescendingly. Shockingly, I do not think that treating your significant other in a condescending manner will improve your relationship. Ever. 

Unfortunately, I see examples like this nearly every day. Our society talks so much about equality and treating people with respect, yet it almost seems like men are getting the short end of the stick. Men deserve to be treated with every ounce of respect that we women demand. Ladies, this entitlement thing isn't cool. Do women deserve respect? YES. Do women deserve a man who will treat them kindly and do thoughtful things for them? YES. One of the first things I notice about a guy is if they open the door for women, if they help her carry her groceries, if they thank her for cooking dinner, and if they help her put on her jacket. When I am married, I should be my husband's #1. I expect that he will love me, appreciate me, and that I should be his first priority. But shouldn't women do the same for their husbands? Shouldn't women thank their husbands for fixing the sprinklers, write notes of gratitude for their husband, and celebrate his accomplishments? Shouldn't he be your #1? 

The amount of relationship experience I have is limited, and I have zero marriage experience, but respect is a life lesson, not a romantic relationship experience. Y'all can call me conservative, or old-fashioned, traditional, religious, inexperienced, or whatever you want. But if those are the opposition arguments then I will gladly take them if the outcome is increased respect in society. Respect is the anecdote to this poison of entitlement that is plaguing our society. 

Passion

Hi, my name's SkyeLyn, and I'm a nerd.

I was the 8 year old girl who read atlases and took notes on every single country and the people who lived there. I was the girl who sat in our big blue chairs in our office and read the encyclopedias. I was the 11 year old girl who asked for a copy of the Constitution, The Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation for my birthday so I could hang them on my wall. I was the little girl who told everyone that I was going to be a doctor when I grew up. I wasn't smart, just passionate.

And then high school happened. My mom MADE me take this class called American Studies (a class that I have literally heard more nightmares about than American Heritage at BYU). I remember walking into class the first day at Lone Peak literally shaking. I remember not knowing anyone in the class and thinking "everyone in here is a genius and I am way out of place here." I remember trying to make myself as small as possible, and never talking. I remember Mr. Birrell and Ms. Woolsey not smiling and telling us that we were not going to have a life outside of this class.

It was in that class that I found my life.

And then our first in class essay happened and everyone was FREAKING out. I wrote what I thought was the worst essay of my life and I walked out of class thinking my grade was tanked. I remember getting my essay back in class, opening the booklet and seeing a big 100% written inside. I remember Mr. Birrell and Mrs. Woolsey saying I was only the third person in decades to get a 100. I remember how suddenly everyone knew who I was, like I'd made some huge feat or something. I wasn't smart, just passionate. I remember playing steal the flag and learning why WWI was a stalemate. I remember being shoved into a tiny hallway with 60 other kids for an hour and half, and catching the TINIEST glimpse of cattle cars transporting Jews to concentration camps during the Holocaust. I remember being picked to represent  Pres. Harry S. Truman and arguing why I too would drop the atomic bomb on Japan during WWII. In that class I found SkyeLyn Taylor. I wasn't smart, just passionate. I found the thing that I had a passion for. I made friends in that class who saved my life and made me who I am today. I learned what it means to be not only an American, but what it means to be a human. I learned to ask questions like "what do we owe each other?" "Are people altruistic or self-interested?" "Should the government legislate morality?" "How do people create a government with legitimacy and sovereignty?" "What rights are inalienable?" "Is the government responsible for my welfare?" I learned to think for myself. I learned what it means to be a good citizen. I found passion. Funny how one class can shape my whole life, because I found my career--and I wasn't going to be a doctor.

I remember finding the Teaching Social Science major before my freshman year at BYU and declaring it immediately. I remember my dad trying to tell me that I wouldn't make very much money as a teacher and I wouldn't get much thanks from my students, but if it's what I really loved, then I should do it. I remember taking American Heritage and knowing that I HAD to be a  TA. And then my sophomore year, I applied. I was the one applicant who got hired on the spot. I wasn't smart, just passionate. And then the panic set in. How in the world could I teach 90 students as an undergraduate myself? Most of them would be smarter and older than me. But the day of my first class came--and I knew this would be a job that I would do, even if I didn't get paid.

Talking to each student, I developed a love for them and a crazy desire for every single one of them to be happy and succeed.  I love nothing more than when they surprise me with their incredible insights and wisdom. I love when they firmly believe that people are virtuous and will promote the welfare of society--even when that requires them to disagree with political philosophers like Plato and Socrates. I love when they quote John Locke and don't even know it--and my heart just smiles inside. Every now and again, Heavenly Father allows me the privilege to get a glimpse of how he sees them--with immeasurable intelligence and the capacity to make this world a better place. Although being a TA is the hardest, most time consuming, frustrating thing I have ever done, I wouldn't trade it for anything, because it gives me the most fulfillment that I have ever felt in my life before. And I know being a TA is just the beginning.

I'm grateful for the path my Heavenly Father put me on when I was 8 years old.

Yellowstone

The highlight of my summer this year was undoubtedly our family vacation to Yellowstone. It was so dang good to see my family again, 7 months is just way too long. Our trip consisted of eating way too much food, sleeping in late, hiking, playing games, sight seeing, skipping rocks on the lake, and lots of jokes about feeding each other to the bears. But let me just tell you about this trip through pictures. 

The Grand Tetons: With views like this I would consider living in Wyoming.

So this fine sight here is Jenny Lake and the Grand Tetons.
Seriously this picture doesn't even do the place justice.

The amount of geysers and hot springs we saw was unbelievable.
And I've never seen water so blue, this picture just doesn't even capture it. 

These here are some of my favorite people of all time. 

We love rodeos.

And then Brady got really into taking selfies:

Selfie with an elk

Mustache selfie

Selfie with Old Faithful. Aubrey's double chin though.

So basically I'd say it was a very successful vacation and I just want to be with my family 24/7.

Summer

Well summer is in full swing and I've been horrible at keeping up on everything. My life pretty much consists of going to work--which I LOVE my job. I've never had a job where I have actually gotten close to my co-workers before, but at Mikarose, we are all really great friends and I looooove it! I'm really gonna miss those girls when I quite working there at the end of the summer. When I'm not at work, I run, I tan, and I read American Heritage. And nighttime=soccer which is what I basically live for. I literally cannot believe how much I've missed playing these past few years. I think soccer is my most faithful lover. Soccer is one of the few things that actually lets me forget everything else going on in my life and just LIVE for a little while. And I think we can all use a little more of that in our lives.

The parade of homes happened. And you can bet Sara and I attended that. There were some crazy huge houses that blew my mind away and left me speechless. But there were also some houses that just made me want to cry out of happiness. One day I will have a house and a cute husband to go with it.

^Kinda blurry, but this room nearly made me cry^

I went to the Strawberry Days Parade at Grandma and Grandpa Brady's just like old times--minus all the family, but I take what I can get. And then my cute Grandpa took me to Purple Turtle and gave me a bolo tie and I think I was in heaven. 

The 4th of July was a good time. I think my favorite was all the free food at Grandma Taylor's cabin. I sure do love that cabin and the people that go with it all. 

^Witnessing Em's first time with a sparkler=history^

We finally checked something off of our summer bucket list-- a drive in a movie. And let me tell you how much I love those. Seriously so much fun, and everyone should go to a drive in movie to maintain a healthy life. And filling the bed of a pickup with mattresses, and a billion blankets and pillows is probably the most comfortable thing in the world. 

As a college student, there are few things that I wouldn't do for free food. And when Chik-fil-a offers free meals just for dressing up like a cow, I will go not once, but twice. And I will enjoy every second of it. 

The biggest event this summer was definitely my baby brother Brady getting his mission call. Bailey, Sara, and I all took a little road trip up to Rexburg for him to open his call last weekend. He got called to the Mexico Torreon Mission!! And no big deal, but I definitely guessed that is where he would go, so I think I should win a prize or something. But I'm seriously so proud/excited for him! I know he is going to be a wonderful missionary and is going to have so many amazing experiences. I am going to miss him so much, but I'm trying not to think about that too much right now. We still have until November, and then maybe reality will sink in. 

Road Tripping

Proud Sister Moment

And this week I am going to Yellowstone with my family and I couldn't be more excited! It's only been 7 months since I've seen them...so yeah...I'm kind of really excited.

So Far...

So I've definitely been slacking on this whole blog thing so far this summer. So here's to a little catching up:

I listen to country music like my life depends on it. Seriously the best thing in the world.

I play soccer like crazy. And honestly, nothing has ever felt better. (Although my early morning class might disagree). But really, there are few things that I love more than soccer and being able to play a lot every week is good for my soul. I've missed playing more than I thought.

I discovered the best piano in the HFAC and I will be there a lot this summer. And I finally have time to learn the Chopin Polonaise that I've been wanting to learn for a very long time.

Seven Peaks is going to become my new home. And the Pass of All Passes is the best $30 I've ever spent in my life.

Ward softball is a thing. I suck at softball, but hey, I like sports, so I play. Who knows, maybe I'll end up being really good at softball by the end....

I went to Karli Gibson's wedding and nothing was crazier. But her reception was seriously the cutest thing I've ever seen and I am so happy for her! It was nice to spend a little time in Highland with everyone from the old ward. And nothing was more exciting than being able to catch up with Emily Pflueger for a little bit. I miss the good old days of Young Women's sometimes.

Kaytlyn Ellis has the cutest baby on the planet.

And that is a wrap.

Nothing says summer like snowcones. 

Spring Semester

So I definitely started class last week-Western Political Heritage. It's basically the history of modern political thought. And I love it. Seriously, I feel like the biggest nerd in the world right now, but it seriously is so fascinating and I really am learning so much! So far, junior year is off to a hot start. And my new ward...can we just talk about how I had more friends in one day of this ward than I did all year at Centennial. Also, how there are so many hot, ethnic men. That's a definite bonus. And my new roommate--Natalie Warren. I. Love. Her. I was super scared, because I have never really had a great roommate experience, and I was prepared for the worst again. But literally, Natalie is the greatest! She is probably one of the funniest and sweetest girls I've ever met! For reals, I'm seriously so happy right now.

The highlight of my week was catching the bouquet at Hailey's wedding. That's a first, and I guess I can check that off my bucket list now! But legit, Hailey looked so dang gorgeous, and she and James make a very lovely couple! I'm so super excited for them!

Ringing in the New

Sooooo...the Hunter Hayes concert happened. And that was magical. All I'm saying is 5th row seats....totally worth every cent! And the craziest thing happened: Laurie literally won backstage passes to meet Hunter! I freaked out for her a little bit...or a lot a bit! It was so crazy! Also, when Dan + Shay performed, I literally fell in love with Dan. He's a babe. Also, Shay can sing like a beast! And when Dan legit jumped into the crowd on top of Sara, I had a mild heart attack for her! But really, this concert was soooo good! Hunter was so precious! And I'm pretty sure that he can play ever single instrument ever invented. Like a rockstar. Or a country star...cuz that would make sense. And then y'all, I MET DAN + SHAY! Yeah, my life is pretty much complete right now. All I'm saying is, give it a year or two, and they will be so popular and I'll be able to say that I knew every word to their album before their first real tour, literally had Shay's arm around me, knew the second their first music video came out, and I loved them before they even had a pandora station. If that isn't true devotion, I don't know what is. But really, listen to their album and die of happiness. Country music=life.

5th Row Seats Y'all! 

^Notice how I am literally touching Shay!^ Fan girling right now. #sorrynotsorry 

Also, I MOVED OUTTA CENTENNIAL and I have never been so happy in my life. I CANNOT wait to move into Brookview tomorrow. I have high hopes for some friends and for a good ward this year. In all honesty, I am just soooo happy that my sophomore year is a thing of the past. Sara and I went to check out our new ward, and I already think it's gonna be great. I joined the ward 12 hours ago, and I have already been invited to events! If that isn't a good sign, I don't know what is. So here's to junior year, a new ward, new classes, and a new job! I cannot wait to jump on in!