HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

I know I am 2 days late. Then again, it’s never late for wishes. Right? Those who are still waiting for their dreams to come true know what I am talking about. 

It is said that “International women’s day” is a day to remember and acknowledge accomplishments made by women in our society”. A short definition I gathered after reading a few historical and current articles.  

A woman: I am one. Sometimes I don’t think I am that valuable to be celebrated. But when I dig deep of who I actually am. I should be celebrated every single day. There is a lot I do that I don’t think a man can. And before you think too much. Think of where you came from. What vessel you dropped from. If it was not for a woman, you would not have been formed. Let alone be born. Ah wait. You are thinking oh no, a woman can’t just give birth with no man involved. Well, my point here is whatever you the man did, a certain woman somewhere carried you and delivered you. It all comes back to her. 

I used to tease my husband when I was 7months pregnant saying “I don’t know how Peter does it every day” Peter, a friend of a family’s friend who have a 9-month beer belly for as long as I’ve seen him. How does he get up and walk with no back issues, no hip pain, no discomfort of getting in and out of his car. How did he manage to look like that for 10 years now? Hmmm I guess that’s why they celebrate women who only manage to go through it for only 9 months. They know how tiring it can be and can’t bear to look 9 months their whole lives. There are some exceptions of course. So, for the man who do their best to look 7 or 9 months pregnant, your labor won’t be nothing but liver disease while the woman’s produces a human being after those nine months. Anyway.

• For all the women who think less of themselves. Go take a look in the mirror. Allow your mind to really focus on who you see in front of you. Don’t think of all the stupid, neglectful words your father or mother or whoever you loved told you. Forget about that. I bet you 98% of the time, they projected how they felt about themselves to you. You see; it’s not about you. Also, don’t try to understand them. For some people, the more you understand them, the more they keep hurting you. Focus on yourself. 

• For all the women who show that they are tough on the outside just to avoid looking like a victim they already are. I applaud you. It usually starts on the outside, then when you see that you can’t take it anymore, use the force within to arise on your new standards. Raise them high to the point where reaching you will require mercy from you. I know being tough comes from somewhere. Mostly, for constantly feeling like you are on the edge of breaking down. The person or ‘people’ hurting you are probably used to you bawling down. But now they don’t see any tears dropping or sign of what they consider as ‘weakness’. They are probably wondering what changed. So, it’s up to you to stand up for yourself and move on. You can’t cry forever, but also you can’t act tough forever.  

• For all the women who are raising children on their own. You are unbeatable. You deserve it all. You should be celebrated every single day. When I was young, I would ask something to my mother while she was doing something else, and she’d say: How many parts do you want me to divide myself into?” That was all the answer I needed to get up and warm food if I was really hungry. My mother wasn’t a single mother per se. But she technically was since she was raising her children by herself when my father was away for work. And I cannot thank her enough for doing a fantastic job into raising me and my siblings. I don’t know how many times she worried when me or my siblings were in trouble or sick. How many times her heart stopped when I told her I was hanging out with Lokie, a girl of bad influence. How patient she was when I made a mistake ‘on purpose’ just to hurt her. Children can be evil, just FYI. But that’s the past of course. I know better now. I know raising children in her shoes must have been difficult and to do it with grace took a lot of courage. So, I celebrate her every day. To the women who are in a similar position, I salute you!

• For all the women who did their best to raise children who didn’t turn out good. At least not the way they expected. It’s okay to feel disappointed. It’s also okay to let go. You can’t babysit your twenty-year-old anymore. Sooner or later, they’ll find out what’s good for them or not. Release the pressure off yourself. You have done an amazing job. Now, take time to enjoy what you might have ‘missed out’ and keep on blessing your rivals (children).

• For all the women who are thriving in their careers. Well done! You are economically looking after yourself and your family. And that’s great. But make sure to not be too absent in your home and too present in your job.  Not all the children are understanding when you finally decide to show up late in their lives. In other words, don’t remember to put a blanket on when it’s already morning. I know not all the jobs offer room for breathing in other environment other than the office. So, choose to live your life wisely. 

• For the women who feel sad or miserable because of any reason. Check yourself into a rehabilitation centre somewhere. The therapists there won’t gossip or judge you like your fake friends. I guarantee you that. They will help you heal and overcome your nightmares. So, take a leap of faith and allow yourself to be happy again. You deserve it!

• For the young girls who are confused of what and who they should be. Take your time. I know you may see people your age with their lives already ‘figured out’. Don’t think that way. There are a few people in this world who got everything figured out. Even those who think they do, sometimes surprises happen. Go easy on yourself. Learn a new hobby other than spending your whole time on social media. For instance: Can you learn how to ride a bike? How to swim. Can you practice reading from page 1 to page 100 without falling asleep or postponing? How about you learn a new instrument. Or can you seat in a park and smile at the birds fighting for food? Can you practice complimenting yourself every day? It’s a lot I can ask, but I don’t exactly know what you need. So, how about you check your life and do something little that feels good for yourself every day. 

• Finally for all the elder women. You have not had it easy. They say that the world is evolving, and more girls are being educated, others working & creating businesses, and more are deciding their fate, etc. Still, if it was not for the effort the previous generation made, the world will still be a mess. So, thank you for all your hard work. It’s paying off and I, same for many other women are enjoying its price. Even in your sufferings, you couldn’t stop paving the soft way for the ones behind you. And I thank you for that. I thank you for speaking and standing up for yourself and for the rest of us. I also thank you for raising some men who still use common sense, men who respect and treat women with dignity. But if you are an elder woman who purposely raised your son (s) to belittle or mistreat women in any way. Don’t worry, your days are numbered. 

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!!!