Um, It's Actually Pronounced Prii.

I want to tell you guys about an awesome girl that came into my life recently. She is strong, independent, and has a huge heart. She is always looking to help others and does her best to make the world a better place. Se is also quite possibly the most beautiful woman ever. Her name is Diana. Here's a picture:


She is such a light in my life. Make sure to comment and leave your addresses!

On a serious note, Wonder Woman was really good. (Possible Spoiler Alert).  I loved it because I personally believe she exemplified the perfect role model of what a strong independent woman is supposed to be, and it was done in a tasteful way. Her being super awesome didn't take away from the male protagonist in the story at all. In fact he is necessary in their journey and is instrumental in helping Wonder Woman recognize her true identity and destiny. In the end he even sacrifices himself, saving millions.

I will say this very clearly... Misogyny is alive and well in the world. The wage gap is more than real, even though that semi-convincing, out of context demographic your super right-wing uncle posts on Facebook says otherwise. I come from a family full of powerhouse women, and I know they don't make as much as their male counterparts. I'm aspiring to be an Optometrist, which is a field that tends to produce more women than men, and even in that environment women only make about 84% of what men are making. There is a lot more than the wage gap issue, of course. That is just one example. These things are a problem and we still have a lot of work to do.

Men should not be threatened by a successful woman. On the contrary, I think real men are excited by the idea of being with a lady who is a "wonder woman" in her own way. It is possible, however, to miss the mark when we are raising our daughters to grow up and be strong women. What I absolutely adored about Wonder Woman was the astounding amount of compassion and love that she showed throughout the movie. She had a goal for herself and a journey that she was on, but that didn't mean that she gave up on or ignored other important aspects of life. Even though she was completely capable of handling herself, she CHOSE to have a man in her life. Ladies, nothing is sexier than that. I think my good friend Ne-Yo said it best:

Oh is something about
Just something about the way she move
I can't figure it out
Is something about her

Say, oh is something about
Kinda woman that want you but don't need you
Hey, I can't figure it out
Is something about her

So girls, you do you! Be successful! Don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do. But don't be afraid to let someone else into your life if you really want to. My fellow stephen covey fans will know that while being independent is absolutely necessary, the end goal is to become interdependent. That means that we maintain important relationships in order to raise each other up to higher planes. Planes that we couldn't reach on our own.

I'm single so I can't speak from experience, but I believe marriage is the best opportunity to achieve that interdependence. I will keep you posted on what happens with me and Diana.

One last thought. I was talking to a friend recently and we starting discussing some of her dating woes here in Tucson. Personally, I think there are a ton of amazing women here in Tucson that I could potentially date, and I don't feel particularly worried about it. I know it will work out as I do my part. For her, however, the options seem pretty scarce. From her point of view she has a hard time finding any men here that are really worth her time.

That sounds really harsh, but I have to agree to at least some extent. Where are all the real men at?

When I say real men, I do not mean the generic "manly man" stereotype that comes to mind. Men that show no emotions while driving their pickup trucks on their way to a football game  while chugging a protein shake. That's not what I mean at all, and it's definitely not what she meant. Her complaints had to do with how casually the men in her ward are with living the gospel and keeping the covenants they've made. She shared stories of her constantly feeling uncomfortable at guys houses because of them only picking out inappropriate movies that she knows they know they shouldn't watch. Or other stories of constant temple trips with only girls because so many guys in her ward don't make the temple a priority at all, even though it's a place where at some point in their life they made sacred covenants.

Before I go on I want to say two things.

1. I am not saying that being a real man has to do with being a Mormon. I think what my friend was really upset about was the lack of integrity being shown to the commitments previously made. That same lack of integrity could be shown in any religion, profession, or culture. So again, not a mormon thing at all, I just happened to be talking to a mormon. The same principles relate anywhere.

2. I am just pointing something out and am in no way claiming to be perfect. I struggle everyday to keep promises and commitments. I've let many people down and I'm sure I still will in the future. I simply hope we can all learn and do better.

anyways...

So guys, let's be the type of men these strong independent women are looking for. You can't expect to be anything less than Superman if you want to date Wonder Woman!

Drive your trucks, play football, drink protein shakes.... There's nothing wrong with those "manly" things and I do a lot of them as well! But please don't let those things be the mark of your true manhood. I drive a Prius and am currently reading a Nicholas Sparks book. I am still a man and I can still do my best to keep the promises, commitments, and covenants I've made. So can you. Go get your Wonder Woman.

 If you aren't there right now, be patient with yourselves and try to do a bit better everyday. As long as you are headed in the direction of being a better man than you are right now, you are doing good. Remember that our perfect example for what a man should be is our savior Jesus Christ. If you're going to compare yourself to someone, compare yourself to him. Then remember how merciful and patient he is with us. He loves us and he wants us to become like him. I know that I still have a long way to go, but I have felt God's hand in my life every step of the way. Never ever should we give up on ourselves because we aren't where we want to be because he will never give up on us. Life is precious, don't give up on it. Just believe that you can change and then do it. The darkness will pass as you constantly reach towards the savior. There is always going to be a brighter tomorrow for you to shoot for, so don't judge your entire life on where you are today. 

"...Therefore, what manner of men ought ye 

to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am."

3 Nephi 27:27

If you need a how to guide ;)

https://youtu.be/oRaCLj1Ux0I