the beginning.

The accomplished young lady as Elizabeth Bennet saw her was a "fearsome thing to behold." Perhaps something between Fanny Dashwood and Caroline Bingley; Jane Austen loved to poke fun at these pretentious women who took themselves far too seriously. I have always believed though that Jane (yes, we are absolutely on a first name basis) also quietly introduced the idea of the truly accomplished woman, the woman worth emulating. Fanny Price, Elinor Dashwood, and even Anne Elliot are heroines holy unlike the fiery and proud Elizabeth Bennet. They represent the type of women that I so wish to be: kind and principled. They make their mark on those around them in a very definite way. Throughout their journeys, each is called upon to assert her independence, yet each maintains what Isaiah 30:15 calls a quiet confidence. Fanny Price especially is my very favorite Austen heroine. She objects to Henry Crawford, ultimately not because she does not love him (though that, of course, must be a factor), but because she sees in him a weakness of character. She is kind and unselfish, but refuses to bend her morals. Her strength comes from a place much deeper than Elizabeth's obstinate stubbornness.

Now, do not misunderstand me, I love Elizabeth Bennet and Pride & Prejudice with a deep, unyielding, and sometimes obsessive passion, but when it comes to role models for my life, I cannot say that Elizabeth or really any of the Bennets but Jane qualify.

I'll take a moment now to solemnly swear not to use this blog exclusively to ramble about Jane Austen. (though I must be allowed to obsess every once in a while) Really, my purpose is to document my journey to become the accomplished young woman that I have created in my mind. Accomplishment is not a trait exclusive to Jane Austen heroines; there are plenty of biblical models such as Esther and Ruth, as well as countless strong modern-day women like Corrie Ten Boom or Amy Charmichael. And then, of course, as a lover of fashion, my list must include those women who accomplished finding their very own unique and ever-lasting style: Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Jackie Onassis, the list goes on....

This blog may be about everything, and it may be about nothing. I find that blogs work best when they are allowed to be entities of their own, set free to blossom and grow and to take on forms that the author never initially intended. It is a journey I would like to make, and I would love to have some company.

My goal: to become the well-rounded godly young women that I am called to be, to maintain excellence in all that I do, yet live with the freedom that comes from the knowledge of my His perfection, which overwhelms my depravity.