The Help

This week I read "The Help" (I say that like I read a book every week, which often I do but I have been sorely lacking in the reading department lately).  I wanted to finish the book before I saw the movie (I pretty much ALWAYS do that...except with "Lord of the Rings" which I was never even remotely interested in until I saw the first movie and then I read all the books...except for the poetry bits -- YUCK!).

I loved this book, "The Help."  I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great story.

But what I loved most about it is that it got me thinking.  I love a book that makes me think.  I started thinking what would I have been like if I had lived in the South during this period?  Would I have been a woman to blindly follow societal norms and treat my help like dirt?  Would I have been willing to stand up for something I felt needed to be changed, or would I have even felt something needed to be changed?

I took a moment to explore my soul, and I am really not sure who I would have been.  I am a rule follower in general, although I don't mind pushing the limits if I feel it is necessary.  But would I have felt this was necessary?  Would I have even seen anything wrong with the prevalent ideology?  I just don't know.

And what about my life now?  Are there things in my life that parallel this story but are too "normal" to me to stand out at a problem?  What am I teaching my children by the actions I am taking or the things I am ignoring?  I think I have some good old fashioned soul searching to do.

Like I said, I love a book that makes me think. 

P.S. If you haven't read it yet, you REALLY should...and I hear the movie is great too!