Dear women

Dear women,

I'm not sure if I'm worthy of offering advices, but in my not- so-long life, I have come across many women... some, close friends, who have met with life- threatening situations and have emerged out of it, a winner, with utmost dignity!   Being a woman and  fighting my own battles, this is what I would like to shout out . I'm addressing it to women because around the world, we are the socially restricted gender. There are many an inequality to be fought against, there are many a glass ceiling to be broken.

 As an adult, please do not let anyone draw boundaries for you !! You are your best judge !! And please start believing in yourself. Don't let anyone and I mean anyone decide your worth. Even in the worst of times do not fall for convention, do what you believe is right for you within the parameters of not deliberately harming anyone! It takes immense strength to be yourself amidst adversities but it is well worth it. Those who've violated you, deceived you, betrayed you, don't deserve your time or attention, but be kind and let them be. Life is too short for vengeance or negativity. Sometimes they need healing than anything else. Remember, its always the man who couldn't have you or couldn't see your true worth or the woman who couldn't be like you. Know that you are beyond your gender, your social identities, your physical being. Do not expect the world to understand you, do not expect even the closest to help you rise, you have to do it all on your own!! But the good news is, its possible !! No matter how many heart breaks it takes, no matter how much tears it takes, no matter how many sleepless nights it takes, don't ever give up ! Hang in there and you will find your way! I'm not sure I have found mine yet but I'm definitely on my way!

So lets not restrict ourselves to just one day to remember and celebrate womanhood, let us be the celebration! But remember to be grounded and compassionate at all times!

I would like to conclude by quoting a Sanskrit shloka on compassion:

"Jananam sukhadam

Maranam karunam

Milanam madhuram

Smaranam karunam

Kalavashadiha sakalam karunam

Samayadhipateh akhilam karunam."

It means :

Birth is joyful, death is compassion, to consort is pleasurable, memories are compassion. In the inevitable flow of time, everything turns into compassion and in the kingdom of the Lord of time, even the end is nothing but compassion.

Happy womanhood!!

PS: Talking to a friend who's now a single mother and who has overcome many battles in life inspired me to write this post.