"There are only two types of women - goddesses and doormats."

This quote may seem a bit extreme at first, but it boils down to the idea that women are often seen in very black-and-white terms. It suggests that society tends to put women into one of two categories: they're either worshipped and idealized as perfect beings or they're completely undervalued and taken for granted. It's a pretty stark way of looking at things and speaks to the extremes of how women are perceived.

Historically, this sentiment can be tied to the way women have been positioned in various cultures over time. Think of the Madonna-Whore complex that Sigmund Freud talked about. It's basically the same thing—women are either pure and holy, like the Virgin Mary, or they're seen as lesser, more like Jezebel. This kind of thinking really goes way back and has shaped how women have been treated and valued (or not) in many societies.

Alright, now let me give you a real-life example to put this into perspective. Think about a woman in the workplace. Let's call her Jane. Jane is super competent, always nails her projects, and often goes above and beyond. Because she's so good at what she does, her boss starts to see her almost as a superhero. She becomes the go-to person for everything. She's put on a pedestal—she's the "goddess" in this scenario.

But what happens if Jane makes a mistake? Or if she starts to say no because she's overloaded? The same boss who once praised her to the skies might start to undervalue her contributions. Suddenly, Jane isn't seen as infallible anymore. She might find herself being overlooked for promotions or not getting the recognition she deserves. In a way, she's gone from being a "goddess" to a "doormat"—all because of one slip or because she set boundaries.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? First off, be mindful of the labels you attach to people—especially women. Try to see them as the complex, multifaceted individuals they are. Avoid putting anyone on a pedestal, because it's a long way down if they fall. And don't undervalue someone just because they're not perfect all the time. Real respect means recognizing both strengths and weaknesses.

Imagine you're out with friends, and the topic of a mutual friend—let's call her Sarah—comes up. She's done something amazing recently, like successfully organizing a huge charity event. It's easy to start raving about how incredible she is and make her sound almost superhuman. But then, someone might mention a time she messed up a small detail. Instead of swinging to the other extreme and criticizing her, acknowledge that she's human. Say something like, “Yeah, she did forget that one thing, but seriously, pulling off that event was massive. We all make mistakes.”

In life, we should strive for balance in how we see people. Nobody is perfect, and that’s okay. By remembering this, we can appreciate the real, whole person rather than falling into the trap of extremes. So next time you find yourself categorizing someone, pause and think about what you're doing. It's a small change, but it can make a big difference in how we treat each other.