Tomorrow is International Women’s Day, and in honour of this special day, I’ll share the 5 nuggets of wisdom that shaped me into the woman I am today curtsey of the special women I’ve been blessed to meet.
Don’t Show Your Weakness
This advice may be perceived as polarizing, however, when you are surrounded by people with preying-intentions, it is best to avoid showing weakness. Besides mothers know best, right?
You’re only as strong as you allow yourself to be
This advice was from a much older female friend who I had complained to years ago of my inability to take on a task because I didn’t think I could succeed in it. She discouraged my attempt to take the easy way out by giving up and instead ensured I saw it through to the end successfully, proving to myself that I’m stronger than I believe.
Don’t cover your nose; you’re a lady
Perhaps, this advice from sister is the weirdest, yet chicest, one I’d ever received. Years ago, we were in a public bus heading home and a foul smell enveloped the atmosphere from one of the many cesspool-esque gutters in Lagos and I hurriedly covered my nose, not forgetting to add the usual sound of disgust. She looked at me properly composed and seemingly unbothered by the smell and said, “Ladies hold their breath; not cover their noses”. Well, lesson learnt!
God likes you
As simple and flippant as this may seem beside the popular cliché, “God loves you,” it carries an unsuspecting weighty message. In 2007, this came as a passing statement by the wife of my mentor and it has stuck ever since.
Success isn’t defined by big wins
The day I received this message was the day I truly became successful. As people who are eager to ‘make it’ in life, we often focus on the gigantic end goal which usually portrays itself as an obese bank account, when defining success. However, in truth, you can be a success at every stage of your life.
These nuggets of wisdom have shaped my thought process over the years, share yours with us.