This week was a bit busy  but in the midst of it all I was able to sneak off to a movie.  I saw Iron Lady, which I had been wanting to see for sometime.  I love history and I am fascinated by strong women and their stories.  Really, I just want to know what it is that makes them so strong.  Is it something they are born with, a strong fortitude.  Is it a disposition they have sought after and worked hard to accomplish.  Or are they strong because they have manuaevered hardship and walk head on into obstacles and chosen not to sit down when it all becomes too much?  I think, perhaps, it is somewhat all of the above.  Our circumstances and environment surely mold us and there are those that are naturally stronger in personality yet, truly, there are very special and unique individuals that have a drive, a belief, a purpose that they must live and if they cannot, they find living anything but.

Whether you subscribe to Margaret Thatchers political policies or not she is one of these women and I find her to be rather amazing.  I know the movie is just a movie and in some circles has stirred some controversy as it depicts her with dementia [she is still living and some find it disrespectful].  After all, it is Hollywood not real life we are watching.  It is a script and much of the conversation surely is based upon interpretation.  What it is was, however, was a story.  A human story.  A story of a women that wanted to see change and was determined to make change happen.  Thematically throughout the movie I kept hearing things like….do something….Today people are more interested about feelings rather than thoughts……Being something rather than doing something.  Perhaps it’s a generation gap that continues to widen?  It seems in those days, and the days before, people were about taking action and making something of themselves and with their lives.  Today a good number of people are so consumed with recognition and being famous for one thing or another and consequently famous for things that don’t seem to matter much.  It is definielty an interesting conversation to be had or even some interesting thoughts to engage.   The movie was full of thoughtful one liners and quotes that are worth a thought or two.  Here are few of my favorites:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your a words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

“People don’t think anymore, they feel.  Do you know what one of the greatest problems of our age is?  That we are governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas.”

Other MT quotes [not in the movie that I liked]”

“To wear your heart on your sleeve isn’t a very good plan; you should wear it inside, where it functions best.”

“Being powerful is like being a lady.  If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.”

If anything, Meryl Streep was beyond brilliant.  First Julia Child to a T and now Margaret Thatcher.  I’m pretty convinced she is the best there is.

So tell me, what do you think makes a strong lady [or person for that matter]?  Do you have any favorite strong women that are an inspiration to you or fascinate you?  Lets start a conversation.

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