Celebrating you young lady
March 12, 2011
This week Zimbabwe took part in acknowledging and celebrating International Women’s Day.
Even though this day may primarily mark the economic, political and social achievements of women, young women can also approach it as a time to map their future while striving to maintain these achievements for future generations.
Going through the official website for International Women’s Day (www.international womensday.com) also revealed how important it is to challenge and develop young women for the future.
The concluding statement, “So make a difference, think globally and act locally! Make every day International Women’s Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding”, particularly brought this out.
Today I would like to celebrate blossoming young women, every teenage girl who knows and believes she can achieve something.
And if you do not feel comfortable enough to internalise this statement yet, it is my desire that someday you will.
Every forum or group setting that I have attended has started off by challenging the mindset. Before anyone can make the move, it starts in the mind.
Sometimes the inability to move and develop is as a result of low self-esteem.
Perhaps you have looked at your body and feel you are not thin enough, not tall enough, too short, or internally you feel you are not smart enough, will never match up, and are helplessly destined for nothing.
Part of the reason for such thoughts is that many young women compare themselves to their peers or other women they idolise.
That attitude just has to go. It paralyses you and eventually you begin to believe it, live it and get trapped in it.
I remember one exercise I learnt in a women’s development class where the facilitator taught us to say these simple words, “I am a significant woman of destiny.”
This was not just a statement she wanted us to chant under our breath, but the instruction was to stand tall, look at yourself in the mirror, put your hand on your hip, open your mouth and confidently say, “I am a significant woman of destiny!”
Maybe saying a couple of words may not alter your situation, but believing these words and confidently walking like you are that significant to the world will start the process.
Confidence does not come naturally to some people but it is something that can be learnt as you go along. If you begin to act and live with confidence you eventually become a confident person.
You can bring out the confidence in you firstly by walking confidently, lifting up your head and walking like you believe you are somebody.
It does not help to walk with your head bent down, avoiding eye contact with people around you or speaking under your breath.
If you are dealing with low self esteem or know someone who is, it will not be easy to break free quickly but at least trying to start the process will bring the results.
Confidence and thinking positively will also help you in many other areas in your life.
Confidence will help you advance as a leader, approach your studies with the belief and understanding that you can make it and socially, confidence will improve your relations with your peers. Essentially confidence in yourself will help you achieve all you seek to achieve.
Young lady, we would love to celebrate your achievements in International Women’s Days to come.
To snatch a few words from a famous poem by Maya Angelou – “Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman,
That’s ‘YOU’”!
Going through the official website for International Women’s Day (www.international womensday.com) also revealed how important it is to challenge and develop young women for the future.
The concluding statement, “So make a difference, think globally and act locally! Make every day International Women’s Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding”, particularly brought this out.
Today I would like to celebrate blossoming young women, every teenage girl who knows and believes she can achieve something.
And if you do not feel comfortable enough to internalise this statement yet, it is my desire that someday you will.
Every forum or group setting that I have attended has started off by challenging the mindset. Before anyone can make the move, it starts in the mind.
Sometimes the inability to move and develop is as a result of low self-esteem.
Perhaps you have looked at your body and feel you are not thin enough, not tall enough, too short, or internally you feel you are not smart enough, will never match up, and are helplessly destined for nothing.
Part of the reason for such thoughts is that many young women compare themselves to their peers or other women they idolise.
That attitude just has to go. It paralyses you and eventually you begin to believe it, live it and get trapped in it.
I remember one exercise I learnt in a women’s development class where the facilitator taught us to say these simple words, “I am a significant woman of destiny.”
This was not just a statement she wanted us to chant under our breath, but the instruction was to stand tall, look at yourself in the mirror, put your hand on your hip, open your mouth and confidently say, “I am a significant woman of destiny!”
Maybe saying a couple of words may not alter your situation, but believing these words and confidently walking like you are that significant to the world will start the process.
Confidence does not come naturally to some people but it is something that can be learnt as you go along. If you begin to act and live with confidence you eventually become a confident person.
You can bring out the confidence in you firstly by walking confidently, lifting up your head and walking like you believe you are somebody.
It does not help to walk with your head bent down, avoiding eye contact with people around you or speaking under your breath.
If you are dealing with low self esteem or know someone who is, it will not be easy to break free quickly but at least trying to start the process will bring the results.
Confidence and thinking positively will also help you in many other areas in your life.
Confidence will help you advance as a leader, approach your studies with the belief and understanding that you can make it and socially, confidence will improve your relations with your peers. Essentially confidence in yourself will help you achieve all you seek to achieve.
Young lady, we would love to celebrate your achievements in International Women’s Days to come.
To snatch a few words from a famous poem by Maya Angelou – “Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman,
That’s ‘YOU’”!
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