The official website of Fascinating Womanhood, by author Helen Andelin. Email address: usa@fascinatingwomanhood.net Phone # 888-890-1750.
NOTICE!! The next Online Class begins Monday, October 2. The teacher will be Melanie Harper. We are taking registration's for this class now. Instructions for enrollment are at the end of this home page. We are also taking orders for books and workbooks. See Bookshelf for prices and instructions about ordering.
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September 2006 On Being Assertive Men the world over hold in their minds and hearts a touching picture of their "Ideal Woman." Although this ideal varies somewhat, it is surprisingly alike in all men. In Fascinating Womanhood we study this "Ideal Woman" from a man's point of view and find it consists of eight qualities a woman must have to awaken a man's deepest feelings of love and tenderness. |
One of the qualities of The Ideal Woman is femininity, and one of the virtues of femininity is being submissive, especially in honoring your husband as the leader of the family. What I would like to emphasize here is that although it is absolutely necessary to be submissive, sometime the reverse is true. When a situation in your marriage requires it, when the virtues of your noble character demand it, it may become necessary for you to be the opposite - strong and assertive. It seems to be essential to feminine charm for a woman to have both qualities, being both submissive and assertive, with the skill of knowing when to appropriately apply the one or the other.
In many cultures of the world women have been trained for generations to subdue the natural impulse to be assertive, not realizing that this is one of the virtues that can make her fascinating to men. During this past week I have watched a DVD movie that demonstrates the charm of assertiveness, in a culture where this virtue was sadly lacking. The movie, Anna and the King, is based on a true story that takes place in the 19th century in Siam. Anna, an English school teacher was hired by the King of Siam to come to his country and teach his 58 children English, literature, science, and the ways of the modern world.
The King said of Anna, "She was the first English woman I had ever met, and it seemed that she knew more about the world than anyone, but it was not until years later that I realized how brave she was, and how lonely she must have been." He came to trust her, then depend on her, even in matters of the government. When war seemed inevitable he said, "I share this with you because I believe you to be trustworthy. Events are happening which I believe to be of Burmese origin and I fear military action is unavoidable." He considered her wise beyond her years. He asked her to promise she would always tell him what she was thinking, no matter what. She was always guided by her highest principles of character. On one occasion when she became involved in a controversy the King asked her, "Why did you interfere?" She answered, "My conscience demanded it."
The King could not help but compare his 23 wives who were all sweet but non assertive, with the English school teacher who had the courage to speak out against injustice, defend the innocent and insist on being heard when it was urgent to be heard. The King's prime minister cautioned him regarding Anna, "She believes herself to be equal to a man." But the King, now charmed by Anna's assertive character answered, "Not the equal of a man, Chao Phya, the equal of a king." He first admired her, then loved her.
When the young prince became the King he said of his father, "I was only a boy but the image of my father holding the woman he loved for the last time has remained with me through the years. It is always surprising how small a part of life is taken up by meaningful moments, most of them over before they start, although they cast a light on the future and make the person who originated them unforgettable." Anna had shined such a light on Siam.
Please note that if you are to be assertive with your husband in a way that will not only charm him but help him, you must gain wisdom, sound judgment and be guided by an undeviating moral character. Where do you gain such wisdom and judgment? It is everywhere. Seek it and you shall find it. It is in the universe but it is also within your own heart and soul.
The young prince in this historical movie followed his father in becoming a wonderful King who did a lot for his country. The end of the film reports that he maintained the country's independence, established religious freedom, abolished slavery and reformed the judicial system.
Fascinating Womanhood Classes
We continue to encourage live Fascinating Womanhood classes wherever possible, especially in churches, educational institutions and outreach programs. We also encourage women to teach classes in their homes or to form study groups in appropriate places. There is nothing to take the place of live classes where the teacher and her students can personally communicate with each other, and follow up with a monthly graduate meeting. My daughter Kristine has recently taught two FW classes in Virginia and reports that success has been as it has always been through the years, astounding and dramatic.
To be a successful teacher you must take it seriously and set aside the time and energy to make it successful. A FW teacher must have 1) A conviction of the teachings, 2) Success in living it. 3) Time to prepare and give a well thought out lesson. It is a most wonderful experience to teach a Fascinating Womanhood class, to bring women out of the darkness and into the light. By teaching these principles you will be part of a worldwide movement that is bringing hope and happiness to women everywhere. To become an authorize teacher, write to the FW office and ask for a Teacher's Application Form. Fill it out, return to the FW Office and you will receive permission to teach the course. When you have successfully taught three classes you will be eligable to become a Certified Teacher. The Teacher's Lesson Guide and Student Workbooks are now available for both classes and study groups. Call the FW office to order: 1-(888)-890-1750 or write to Fascinating Womanhood, PO box 219, Pierce City, MO 65723.
Online Fascinating Womanhood Classes.
We now have online Fascinating Womanhood classes. The class is held all day every day Monday through Friday for eight weeks. You can participate in the class any time of the day. The teacher begins each class with a 15-minute lesson, followed by a topic for discussion among the group. A special weekend assignment is given on Friday. The class is limited to 20 students. When 10 students have enrolled, discussions begin. When 20 students have enrolled the class begins. Fee for the class is $35.00, which includes an electronic copy of the workbook. The electronic workbook is unbound. Your teacher sends you a few sheets at a time, text that pertains to that particular lesson. After you have downloaded the entire workbook you can punch 3 holes in it and put it in a loose-leaf binder, or take it to a copy center to have it punched and bound.
To enroll in the online class, email us your name, address, phone #, email address and the $35.00 enrollment fee. To pay by credit card, email us your credit card number or call it into our toll free phone number - 888-890-1750. If you pay by check, mail it to:
Fascinating Womanhood
P.O. Box 219
Pierce City, Missouri 65723.
When we receive your check and data, we will send you an acknowledgment that the enrollment is complete. We will forward this information to your online teacher and she will get in touch with you and give you instructions for logging into the class. The next Online FW Class is scheduled to begin Monday, October 2.
Bulletin Board
Lisa McCarter, one of our experienced teachers, will begin a new class Thursday, September 7 in Southaven Mississippi. Classes meet on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to l1:00 at the park behind Goodman Oaks Church of Christ in Southaven, MS 38671. For more information please call 662-895-4843 or 662-404-5652. No fee for the class. Lisa reports: "God is really meeting with us. I excitedly look forward to strengthening his community, one marriage, one woman at a time. (We will announce classes sent to us, and open to the public.)
Comments from Grateful Students
"Let me take the priviledge of telling you how much FW has meant to me. It is one of the most beautiful, well written books I have ever read. It lifts one's spirit to a higher, more gracious plane and makes me want to be a better wife, mother and friend."
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"FW has had a tremendous impact on my life and our marriage. Celestial love is precious and fulfilling. When I started reading FW it all sounded so idealistic, but now that I have lived to see and experience the effect the changes in myself had on my husband and our home, I'm grateful, happy and inspired!"
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"I'm amazed at the difference in myself. In the beginning I was so hostile and suspicious! What I thought was impossible, and possibly nonsense, has turned out to be a blessing, and although I have a long way to go I feel a profound sense that I'm on the right road and have the right perspective at last."
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"Tonight Michael made a fire in the firepit outside. He asked me to grab some drinks and join him. We talked for over an hour. He told me that I had improved so much from last fall. That I am happier now, more fun to be around and as result he is happier too. He also said that he sees in me all that makes his life good. I started to cry. He said that he would rather spend time with me than watch T.V. It's nights like this that I live for."
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"I am happier now than I have been in a long time. I have developed more self-confidence and a sureness about myself. I feel beautiful, which in turn makes me walk tall and act differently. I notice because people who see me smile and always say hello. These things I attribute to learning about FW. I have learned sooooo much and want to say 'thank you' to my teacher for her candid expressions and encouragement."