A past life as a courtesan might have been a good choice - if you can choose such a thing.  I am half way through reading Courtesans and Katie Hickman’s absorbing book about the lives of five exceptional English women is an eye opener; it is also beautifully written.

Courtesans were amongst the most liberated, well-educated, interesting women of their times, admired and prized for far more than their looks or talents in the bedroom.  They were the A-list celebs in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, the talk of the town, with fan followings amongst both men and women - They led the fashions in style and made the news. 

Yes, they were not admitted to ‘polite society’ and their situation might become precarious as they grew older, though many later married or were settled with annuities by their former patrons.  Many of these intelligent and accomplished women could arrange their lives to suit themselves – much more so than those bound within the constraints of society’s rules and morals.

I value strong, independent, interesting people, who create their own path, according to their own principles, values and beliefs.  Life choices are not always easy, morals and values are not always clearly ‘black and white’, but maybe it is better to choose, to live, to take action, to make an impact in the world, rather than just settling for following the ‘norm’.