This International Women’s Day I wanted to reflect on the tendency some of us have of judging our own worth and value on the opinions of others.
“Stop looking outside for scraps of pleasure for fulfilment, for validation, security or love. You have a treasure within that is infinitely greater than anything the world can offer” - Eckhart Tolle
Tolle’s quote to me is a powerful one. It matters not a jot what others tell us we should do, ought to do, need to do to be a good woman, good mother, good daughter, good sister, good friend. Societal expectations can be heavy indeed, and meeting them is not the route to lasting inner peace.
Brene Brown speaks of letting in only the opinions of your very, very good and close trusted circle - the folk she jokingly calls the ‘move the body’ mates, not that I sense she is advocating murder for a second! Brene reflects on the importance of what and who you allow into your psyche, its well worth thinking about.
Unsolicited opinions and advice are just information. They only have meaning if you choose to give them meaning. Context is everything, and every woman, and every person of any gender identity, gets to choose what it is we believe relevant and valuable.
So this International Women’s Day lets celebrate womanhood on our own terms, cognisant of what our own gender identity means to us as an individual, standing in our own power and cheering on our peers, loved ones, and all women to be that unique expression of life that they already are.
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