International Women’s Day: Open Letter

International Women’s Day is on the 8 March every year: It is a day that celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. At this time many events happen across the world and I wanted to use this opportunity to reach out to all the young girls and women who believe they have to change who they are to be like somebody else. This is not true. You are perfect just as you are. However you have to believe it and see it for yourself. Knowing who you are is a journey; be kind to yourself, have patience and listen to yourself by developing your self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-love. 

You can be like those you admire, though rather than looking solely at how they look (their external) go beyond to see their greatness and in turn yours. I want to be like… is dedicated to you.

I want to be like…

I want to be like Rosa Parks, her actions, courage and integrity created a butterfly effect that helped change history.

I want to be like Oprah Winfrey, her past is part of her present, which she acknowledges though she never allowed it to hinder or define her future. She created and is still creating and manifesting her life, her world, touching and helping many along the way, by just being herself.

I want to be like Bonnie Greer. There is power in her wisdom and strength in her words that seem to tap into my soul and click my brain to see a new perspective. The “fierce physics of a soothing fire" are words that fit when I think of Bonnie Greer. 

I want to be like Marianne Williamson, she captured my indescribable feelings and made the unknown known in Our Deepest Fears. I also want to write words that have the power to resonate, inform and impact.

I want to be like artists such as Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, India Arie and Jill Scott,  who although acknowledge "sex sells" in their industry, exude sexiness through their meaningful words and by always looking classy.

I want to be like Iyanla Vanzant whose books enabled me to look through my own rubbish and clear out my basement. Invited me to acknowledge In the meantime is the best time to work on self and by understanding my patterns, I can break the cycle and make Peace from Broken Pieces. She enabled me to empower myself. There is work to be done and it starts with us, you and I.

I want to be like Beverly Ellis, Dr Isha Mavinga Mckenzie and other black women in the field of psychology making a difference through their research. I owe my First Class degree to them but the impact on my personal development is classless.

I want to be like Ava DuVernay, Zena Tuitt, Simone Bresi-Ando, Natasha Stewart, Akua Gyamfi, Lorraine Russell and all my friends and acquaintances who are trail blazing entrepreneurs, creating and making it happen on their terms without limitations because they believe in themselves, their ideas and their worth.

I want to be like those I have mentioned because essentially they are all doers and change makers in their own right, who have made an impact on me and I'm sure many others whilst walking their path and learning on the way.

I admire them but I do not want to morph into them. I respect them and I am proud of their achievements but more importantly I am able to see myself and my own possibilities when I look at them. I am striving to be all that I am, rather than a second rate somebody else and I invite you to do the same in order to step into YOUR greatness.

Identify who you admire or want to be like and process in-depth reasons why, as this gives clues as to where you are at and potentially ideas on your own journey, passions and interests. Then begin to change I want to be like... to My Name is (insert name) and I AM (Insert statement).

I AM is so much more powerful than I want to be like. Find you and be the best YOU!

Sometimes by showing  the way, others are able to see their way. I hope my expressions have made you think. Have fun finding you, inside of you. 

My name is Lisa Bent and I believe in Self-Central 

 "If you are going to morph into anyone, then morph into the higher aspect of yourself"#Self-Central

© Lisa Bent 2013