I went to a yardsale about a month ago and got a book of poetry. It is over 70 years old and has "101" poems. Pretty cool. What is interesting is the amount of famous male poets in the book. However, even though many famous poets have been male, try explaining the masculine characterstics of writing poetry to a group of Junior High Schoolers or to High Schoolers. I haven't tried it yet, but my English teaching heart goes out to any teacher who is trying to make poetry appealing to her male students. It's kind of like playing piano or nursing. Although beneficial to the masses, they're both still considered more feminine paths.
Sometimes, we limit ourselves from doing things that we would enjoy or be good at because of the stigma attached to the activity. Influenced by the opinion of others, we decide, "Well, I just won't try that. I mean, I didn't really want to anyway. . ." Not that other people's opinions don't matter, but we tend to take what we think people will think way too far. In addition to being afraid that people will mock us, we might think they will assign motives to what we are doing: "Oh, he is just playing the piano because he wants to win a contest."
You know what, who cares? We need to stop cowering in the shadow of presumed public opinion. If you have a talent or an interest, pursue it! You never know how God will use it. His opinion is the one that truly matters. Seek to glorify him and shine!
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