International Women’s Day
For most, IWD is about shining the spotlight on women who have braved challenges in what would be typically described as a ‘man’s world’. It is about glorifying the impactful women who pave the way for more women to contribute in different walks of life when it wasn’t available for us in the past.
While there is a spectrum of reasons we should praise women for all their accomplishments, do we question what stems these drive for change that women are now breaking barriers? We are breaking barriers of decades of conditioning telling us that women are born only for specific human tasks, unlike men who have more freedom to explore their interests, like sports or politics. It wasn’t long ago women were not allowed to participate in any sport or given the right to vote. I feel compelled to ask; At what point in your life did you realise that your true expression needed to be explored even when it went against society’s depiction of what’s possible or not possible for women?
How much of ourselves have we suppressed based on traditions and cultural norms? What would you choose to do if you were encouraged to express your full magnificence?
This past few weeks, I have been exploring the concept of self-love and the need to know when we have been neglecting our soul’s purpose. By allowing ourselves to feel fear of judgment, we fail to take care of ourselves first. Loving yourself shouldn’t make you feel like you are being selfish. The more love you give yourself, the more we encourage others to do the same.
As for myself, when I do not choose myself first, I end up leaving that job to others—which by default, is putting myself last. As you can expect, leaving your happiness in the hands of others will lead you to disappointment. I was upset with my husband my children for not being aware of my feelings – it took me a while to realise that the only person responsible for my happiness was me. This meant breaking away from cultural beliefs, forgiving myself more and caring for my well being first. Most importantly, engaging with things that spark joy in me.
Suppose women were taught this at a very young age; who knows how different this world would be. The power of self-love in the hands of liberated women is more potent than any artillery or propagating media. Strengthening women is as easy when we learn to start loving ourselves more, but as women, we know, it can also be the hardest thing for us to do.
Hence, I encourage you to stand on the shoulders of these giants, I can’t help but think of the numerous women who have paved the way for our generation to start to live life fearlessly. Sometimes, when faced with difficulty I visualise these women standing behind me, or holding my hand helping me through with their unending energy of pure love and compassion.