I’m guessing most of us have wondered what it would be like if we lived one hundred or more years ago. Or if we’d even survive. I think about this a lot. At first, I wondered if I could change history by being part of those historical moments we learned about in school. Then I wondered if I’d still be me or have a different personality because of my social status, the century I lived in, or who my family would be.

That’s when I realized that no matter what era I was born into, I’d still be me, with the same appearance, beliefs, passions, talents, and family. This put things into perspective. Even If I were born seventy-five years ago, I would still be considered weird, misguided, and even controversial. As a woman who does not want to get married, have kids, and remain celibate I’m already in the minority. As a Christian woman who has this belief, even today, it is still a hot topic. Putting my beliefs aside, I’m not going to keep quiet about issues I have an opinion about or feel need to be changed. Nor will I conform to what society tells me is the norm.

In other words, if I were born in the 1940s with an independent, strong-willed personality and opinions, I would be met with the same resistance I face today but with much more to lose. My family would still support me, but I wouldn’t allow that to affect their reputations or “social standing,” whatever that may be. Choosing to stay single, fight for women’s and civil rights, and share Jesus at the same time could cost me my career and possibly my life, depending on how far I pushed. However, the chances of losing my life would be minor unless I lived in states where fighting for civil rights resulted in death or severe injury.   

Add another seventy-five years, and I’d be born in the 1860s, where I’d be faced with the same stigma, but I would most likely choose to be a domestic servant, teacher, secretary, writer, nurse, or nanny. These were the careers viewed as acceptable for women to stay single while still earning a wage. However, I would also be faced with sexual assault attempts, marriage proposals that I would turn down resulting in my choice to remain single being exposed (as a Protestant convent life isn’t an option), and depending on what career path I have chosen any attempt to defend myself physically could result in death due to there not being a Violence Against Women Act.

Add another 1,000 years, and I’d be born in 860 AD, where I most likely wouldn’t live past my twenties. Whether from disease, war, or my refusal to accept an arranged marriage, it’s clear to me that I would fight for my beliefs, opinions, and rights no matter what century I was born in. It all comes down to perspective. Whenever I was born, it would push me to stay the way I was created. It would drive me to fight for my right to choose how I want to live. Who’s to know if I would change my mind the older I got or if where I lived would influence my opinions? What I do know is that I’m glad I’m me.