It's an age-old question, a question that many women have been ruminating about?What does it take to be a female icon? Ages ago, people had only the mythological goddesses to idolize. Centuries ago, women had the likes of the Virgin Mary to consider an icon. ?And decades ago, they had the members of the royalty to look up to (think Queen Victoria). ?The female icons of the past were distant images. ?They were beyond the realm of the common and ordinary.
Modern Female Icon
Fast forward to the future, iconic women are still anything but ordinary and common. ?They stand out. ?They inspire awe. ?They make women want to be just like them. ?They make people look beyond their imperfections and consider them worthy of praise and undivided attention.
Making Something Extraordinary Out of the Ordinary
But unlike female icons of long ago, they are within your grasp. ?They are one among the common bunch who has managed to make an impact, to make something extraordinary out of the ordinary. ?And this has made them beloved by even more women. ?Now more and more members of the female species are vying to be like them, watching their every move, emulating even their gross mistakes.
One such modern female icon is Oprah Winfrey. She's not of a royal descent. She's not even a member of the nobility, nor is she born of a middle class family. But why, she's part of the minority, of the African American race that has suffered centuries of demoralization and unfair discrimination. Yet she managed to rise above all. White Americans flock around her to hear what she has to say.
And there's Alanis Morissette. She wears her hair as if it never experienced the touch of a comb. ?She appears naked in her music video even if she has none of the prefect curves to speak of. ?She speaks her mind through her music. ?She tells a story of her imperfect self through her songs. ?And yet, she's idolized by many, even emulated.
So What Does it Take?
The message is clear. ?Even you can become a female icon. ?So what does it take? ?It's about making colorful stories out of the person that you are. ?And it does not even matter if you have grave imperfections for a true icon is desired and admired uncritically. Being an icon is accepting your genuine self and being comfortable about it, being ready to scream out even the horrid facts about you.
Zippo Lighters?Beyond Functionality
And there are your favorite Zippo lighters. ?The brand has stood the test of time and has managed to make a lasting statement. ?At the onset of its popularity, it carried the image of functionality. ?Called windproof lighters, Zippo lighters were known to stand against windy weathers with its efficient fuel delivery and its nifty windscreen.
But Zippo lighters have gone beyond functionality. ?It's now an embodiment of what an icon is?stylish, admired and emulated. ?And so is the rise of Rippo and Zappo lighters, the Zippo fakes.
You can try and carry one of those matte-finished personalized Zippo lighters in screaming shades of red and watch heads turn your way as you light your cigarette. ?Yes, you can be a female icon too.
With the new trend in smoking Smarties, your children will have no need for Zippo lighters to light up. Read on and find out, that is, if you have been living under the rock of recession.
Smoking Smarties Described
Actually, smoking is not the right technical term for the newest fad among children. Since there is no smoke being inhaled into the lungs and out of the mouth and nostrils, it is not in the league of cigarette smoking.
Instead, dust particles are inhaled and exhaled through the mouth, and in some instances, through the nose. These dust particles come from crushed Smarties in its tube packaging although other candy brands like Conversation Hearts, Necco Wafers, SweeTarts and Pixy Stix can be used. Thus, there is absolutely no need for Zippo lighters to "light up" because the candy can be crushed by the sheer force of a child's hand.
When exhaled through the mouth, the fine dust particles look like cigarette smoke even when viewed from a few feet away. When coupled with the tube packaging, which looks like cigar packed in white paper, parents can be fooled into thinking that their kids are smoking cigarettes!
Dangers Involved
Lest you think that there is no physical danger in smoking Smarties, either because no harmful cigarette substances are involved or no fire-inducing devices like Zippo lighters are used, think again. There are health risks that doctors are providing warnings for parents and teachers alike.
First, the fine dust particles can cause throat and nose irritations, which can spread to the lungs when these are inhaled. Although these particles will dissolve in time, as a responsible parent, you have to err on the side of caution. Not only is your child's safety at stake, so are your wallet's contents.
Second, with frequent usage comes the risk of infections to the respiratory system. There is even a possibility albeit rare that maggots will grow inside the nose, fed by the sugary dust.
Third, and most alarming, children will be lead to believe that smoking is a harmless hobby. Whatever efforts poured into educating your children about the dangers of smoking might very well go down in dust. Even your efforts to tell your children to keep their hands off from your multi-purpose Zippo lighters to avoid house fires can go up in ashes because your credibility will be questioned!
Indeed, the physical and mental dangers involved in this deceivingly simple way of freaking parents out of their minds must be stopped by the parents themselves! Of course, it also greatly helps that school administrations are making the activity a punishable offense.
As parents, you can always do something to educate your children about the dangers brought by cigarette smoking. It will also help your cause if you stop smoking yourself. After all, children will follow the example of adults!
In short, you have to practice what you preach and stop letting cigarettes, Zippo lighters and your mouth meet.
Bradlley Mckoy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Education, Public Relations and Careers and Job Hunting. Be as impressive as your favorite female icon with . You can supplement the statement you're making with chic. Bradlley Mckoy's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.