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

Endless Possibilities

On the evening of Wednesday June 15 2011,  I attended I’mPOSSIBLE. conversations, the first of a series of intimate events helping to educate and empower young women of colour in Britain. It was a truly beautiful, relaxed and empowering evening hosted by the very vivacious Tameka Empson, whose comedic timing, improvisation and ability to engage with and involve the audience was second to none. Her nature coupled with the décor at B.Hive further created a cozy environment that eradicated the often present “us” and “them” invisible line that is usually felt at speaking events.

Sharing their stories were Bonnie Greer OBE, Angie Le Mar, Charlene White, Angela Ferreira and Precious Williams who all expressed their journey’s with unreserved openness, humour sparkled with little gems of knowledge for us all in how to approach life, tap into our own ability and go beyond the limitations of who we think we are.

Everyone has a story because every individual embarks on a journey. There is validity and lessons to be learnt in all expressions. I’mPOSSIBLE is great as in a fast moving world of technology anything is accessible, but nothing can beat the experience of face to face interaction when sharing and exchanging knowledge. Simone Bresi-Ando, I’mPOSSIBLE. founder made this event possible through her mission to inspire us all in enabling us to believe in the possibilities of ourselves, she said...

"To see my idea blossom into a force for good which positively affects everyone in that room and beyond is really where the passion of I’mPOSSIBLE lies. We changed lives tonight by simply showing the audience that they are POSSIBLE because they have the ability, choice and drive to define success on their own terms, unapologetically.”

Event’s such as this, which centres on service to others is vital for everyone but especially women of colour. We have a voice; our voice is valid and needs to be heard in order to raise our visibility and influence.

I am a big fan of Bonnie Greer, so hearing her speak and meeting her was truly something. She has a presence that resonates with me in the same ways as Martin Luther King and Iyanla Vanzant. Every sentence is effortlessly expressed, eloquent and immensely powerful that manages to create a stir in my soul. She has it, I don’t know what that is, but she has it!

I walked away feeling honoured and motivated with a more embracing sense of my own ability and potential. The possibilities of what I can achieve is as wide as the universe though the belief starts within. I left with these thoughts and I will leave you with some words of wisdom from the panel.

“Keep educating yourself, read broadly. Do all things broadly. All the time”
-Angela Ferreira

“If you feel it you must do it!”
-Tameka Empson

“You have to have the confidence and self belief that you can do it and it will happen eventually.”

  - Charlene White

Whatever you decide to do, tool yourself up. You must speak the
language of what you are going to do”.

– Angie Le Mar

“Never stop being yourself, even if people think you are crazy”.
-Precious Williams

         

 “Your ultimate role model is yourself at the highest …hold that highest ideal of yourself”.

This is an important acknowledgement”.

- Bonnie Greer OBE

Pictures © simonfrederick AllRights Reserved

To keep up to date, sign up to the newsletter http://www.i-am-possible.com/

Related Posts:

1.I'mPossible and so are you

2.Inspirational You: Review

3.GFK Fashion Life Event: Review

© Lisa Bent 2011



I'mPOSSIBLE and so are YOU!

I’mPOSSIBLE is a social enterprise founded by Simone Bresi-Ando. The aim is to educate and empower young women of colour in Britain, by promoting, highlighting and showcasing the achievements of successful individuals and their life stories, helping to encourage and inspire others along their individual paths.

The I’mPOSSIBLE.conversation,  is a series of intimate panel led events taking place in central London. The first, sponsored by premium hair care brand Mizani, will be held on Wednesday 15th June and hosted by vivacious actress Tameka Empson. Sitting on the panel will be high profile industry professional’s playwright and critic Bonne Greer OBE, comedian Angie Le Mar, journalist and newsreader Charlene White, former commissioning editor for Channel 4 Daytime Angela Ferreira and author Precious Williams. Hear their stories, find out how they became POSSIBLE and how you can be POSSIBLE to.

This interactive event is one not to be missed.

Tickets are £25 and can be purchased online:
http://iampossibleconversation.eventbrite.com/

I'mPOSSIBLE. conversation

Wednesday 15th June 2011

6pm - 9pm

B.Hive
6-7 Southampton Street
London
WC2E 7RS

For more information about I'mPOSSIBLE please visit:

http://www.i-am-possible.com/

Twitter: @IAMPOSSIBL3

Related Posts:
1. Endless Possibilities
2.Inspirational You: Review
3.GFK Fashion Life Event: review

© Lisa Bent 2011