Be true to yourself

Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection to balance out how much of ourselves we give away. — Barbara de Angelis

Today is the International Women’s Day. It is a day set aside to celebrate women: their successes and triumphs. Their womanhood and what makes them tick. Also referred to as the International Working Women’s Day, it is celebrated every March 8.

The focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women’s economic, political, and social achievements.

Even as the world acknowledges the role played by women in society, how about you, the woman understanding yourself and what you are all about? How about meeting you — holding up a mirror to yourself and checking yourself out.

Not just your beautiful physical features, but looking deep into your eyes, into your soul to discover what you are all about. Modern day living is quite hectic and many women barely know what they are all about.

After the end of yet another event-filled day, it is a wonder that she can remember her names. There has never been a better time to rediscover you; to meet that from time to time near-stranger who makes things happen, that super woman who takes care of her family, ensuring that the children are clean, healthy and well fed, and that the house manager is comfortable.

On top of that, you have to deal with the man of the house, who even though is providing for the family, may need more care than the children themselves. You also have your sometimes impossible parents and siblings to deal with, not forgetting difficult colleagues. Then you have to somehow remain clean, sane and happy.

But because a woman has got to show up even when she wants to lie in bed all day, you somehow find the strength to trudge on. Way to go. It is for this reason that we are celebrating you today.

Now that you are meeting you, you need to figure out what you are all about. While at it, ask yourself what can possibly happen when you do not know who you are.

Find out what really works for you. What makes you a better person; a better friend, a better mother, a better wife, a better worker. Be true to yourself.

What dreams may you have had a decade ago and why you do not dream any more. What robs you of your essence, what can be done to rejuvenate it?

The truth is that when you know you, you will not ignore your intuition, especially when it comes to close relationships and situations. You will manage to discern circumstances and make things work better for you.

Meeting you is a most difficult task. It is not for the fainthearted. But because you are a woman, you can do it. You may realise that you have made so many mistakes in the past. You can use the 80/20 rule and make necessary changes to your life.