Lovely readers, please allow me a personal post for a global moment. All my life, I have had a girl inside me, even now as a woman. I still have that girl’s dreams, memories, love, tears, and smiles. I like to think I have done right by the little girl I was. But that’s because I had women in my life, leading me to womanhood. If I had not, I may have pined about my weight, height, boob size, eyebrows, brains, heart, skill – and above all, legitimacy. That’s why I celebrate International Girl Day and support Girls Inc. Because there are girls out there – some of whom alone like I was at one time – who need a woman in their life to teach them something: teach them how to love, how to think, how to learn, what to learn. Teach them about anything you want: boys, kisses, high-heels, music, books, writing, school, love, family, dreams. But above all, teach them that they matter: exactly the way they are! Teach them it’s okay to love the Anastasias, the Juliannes, the Bellas, the Kareninas, the Elizabeth Bennetts, the Jane Eyeres, the Lisbeths, the Katerinas. But above all, teach them to love themselves. If we do that, these girls will become women. Strong women, smart women, funny women, loving women, spunky or shy, humble or proud – but however they turn out, they will know that they matter. In honor of their day, if you are so inclined, please pick a girl in your life and support her, even just once. Give back to the girls we were, the girls we have, and the girls we still are!
Girls Run the World!!!
SONG: Beyonce, Run the World (GIRLS), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBmMU_iwe6U
GIRLS INC. http://www.girlsinc.org
Ani, this was absolutely lovely. I’ve been lucky enough to have been raised by an incredibly strong woman. A great woman who gave me the belief that I can shoulder anything. I make it my duty to take that message of strength and pass it on to my daughter. But I go even further with her. I teach her that it is okay to be just who she is. Not to live up to anyone’s ideal, only her own. Happy International Girl Day!!!!
Thank you darling!! I was lucky like you too – that’s why I felt it was important!! 🙂 I am thankful for you in my life.
Perfection. It may be past the official day, but I’m sharing this with other women friends as you said it so well, and it can’t be said often enough. You are completely fabulous….(Repetitive, I know…but you are.)