Sky is the limit.

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“Wait…. Why did that man leave because she got a big sign with her picture on it?”

“Why is he leaving because she got the better job?

“Why if Annie is so happy ,is Frank so mad?”

“Why is he mad at her?  Just because she won medals from all over the world and he didn’t ?

“Why doesn’t he just become a better shooter?  He should just practice more?”

“WHOA! Why is Annie using the loosing empty guns so that Frank  will win the shooting match!!!!?  She is a better shot than him… why would she want to loose just to make him win!?”

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In a room full of  5 daughters and one son we watched Annie Get Your Gun.   My girls lit up with questions…. it was like they were hearing a high pitch noise and didn’t know what it was.  Mer and Noa were firing off questions like they were in a shooting match.  It was a sea of furrowed little girl brows. Yen had a look like she was squinting into the sun… none of my girls could comprehend this forfeiting your gifts so “a man can feel like a man.”

“Happens all the time, ” I start in,”and the truth of it, in this scenario ,Frank will never become a better shot.  He will never become better at his gifts because he needs a woman to become less at hers for him to be satisfied.  The worst part… is she can never really soar in her gifting … because she doesn’t want to surpass Frank.  This circus show won’t allow for a woman to lead because they think that makes a man look less of a man.”

“Why doesn’t he just practice more… try harder … or just be happy for her?”

“Well…. women do this all the time… they don’t want to excel in the gifts God gave them because their husbands are bumps on a log… or just not ‘into it’ so instead of thriving in their talents or gifts they fear his feelings being hurt, or  hurting his pride , or they fear the appearance of not submitting to him … But that just makes tons of men who never strive to be better… who live as weaklings and really  creates a bag of passive bullies who know as long as they stay mediocre they will never have women around who make them feel weak.  For many men it is easier for them to shut women down than to just rise up themselves.”

all my daughters looked over at their father.

“No no… Dad is great with it.  The sky is the limit ,as far as Dad is concerned … for him and for me…. and for all you kids.  And the crazy thing is… this  movie isn’t historically accurate  but it is a true story of the world you live in.  The true Annie Oakley and Frank Butler story is more empowering.  In the real story the crowd cheers to ‘let the girl shoot’ … then Annie goes on to impress everyone and Frank is completely strong in his giftings and goes on to manage the finances, advertising and career of Annie Oakley.  To them (unlike the movie) they weren’t thinking about who was leading… they traveled this life together… and actually promoted women’s rights together.  It’s actually pretty rare for men to not be intimidated by strong women or for that matter for people to be intimidated by other strong people’s gifts… so don’t be surprised if you see this again.  But when you do see it… remember it isn’t a reflection on your gifts… its a reflection of the other person’s insecurity.  So no worries.”

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