The Rules:
1. Post these rules before presenting your list.
2. List 6 actions or achievements you think every person (or in this case, young women/girls) should accomplish before turning 18.
3. At the end of your blog, choose 6 people to get tagged and list their names.
4. People who are tagged write their own blog entry with their 6 suggestions.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged.
1) Love yourself. I’m trying not to sound like a sappy afterschool special but this is so crucial. I think the reason why a lot of young girls slip through the cracks is because they never attained a healthy level of confidence and self-respect. What’s worse is that these young women come from homes where there is not positive encouragement. There’s no one to tell them that they are beautiful, smart and special. As I’m approaching my 10 year high school reunion (I’m just tellin’ my age, ain’t I?), I think about some of my closest buddies and all the struggles they had with low self-esteem. One friend was never happy unless she had a boyfriend–and, subhan’Allah, the things she had to do in order to keep these boyfriends. Another one didn’t stop her crazy lifestyle until she became pregnant. Some of stuff started in junior high. Junior high, people! At 13 years old! Don’t believe the hype, girls. You are God’s unique creation and He loves you abundantly. Don’t let these boys play with your mind and body. Don’t be fooled by the “perfect” women on TV. You are worthy of love and don’t waste your time with people who disrespect you.
2) Talk to God often. Outside of your formal prayers and structured religious settings, you should spend some time talking to God. Some people would say that it’s venting or complaining to Allah. But it’s better to vent to Him than anyone else. It’s so helpful when express your true emotions to the Creator and not worry about backbiting someone. He knows how you feel about such-and-such and so-and-so anyway so what’s there to find. Lay it all out! “Allah, I’m stressed and I don’t know what to do. I’m under pressure. I’m confused. My faith is waning.” Let it out to the Answerer of Duas and He will resolve it for you.
3) Enhance your talents. Feed your interests. Don’t be afraid to try something new. You might be good at it. Take a class in art or dance. Try karate. You never know where your interests and hobbies may take you.
4) Realize that life begins after you leave high school. You know how some people say that your best years are your high school years? That’s such a load of garbage. I know that high school seems so important. I have a teenage sister who’s going through all of the same stuff I went through–tests, fickle friends, gossip, crushes, boys, dances, choosing colleges, blah, blah…blah blah blah. You will not believe how quickly you forget your classmates. All the drama that seems so important vanishes upon getting that diploma in your hand. There was a group of girls who made one year of my high school life a living hell. Today, I struggle to remember their names and faces. The transition from high school to the “real world” is quick. After my first sememster of college, I could barely recognize myself! Trust me, life gets better as you get older. You may be a nerd or outcast now. You may not be considered the school beauty. Or you’re not a cheerleader..whatever. you may think that you and your boyfriend are going to live happily ever after. But you’ll see. My nerdy classmates became successful while all the popular kids flunked!
5) Don’t obsess too much over your body. I know, this is hard–I’m asking teenage girls NOT to obsess over their bodies I know I did. But the facts are staring you in the face. WOMEN COME IN DIFFERENT SIZES! Keep saying it. Make it a daily mantra. Not all us of have skinny women trapped inside our bodies. Some of us are meant to have meat. And guess what, some men love a woman with some meat! Not all men are looking for skinny minnies. Staring at your breasts will not them bigger, smaller, perkier, rounder, etc. And you can do 500 situps a day but maybe you’re not meant to have rock-hard abs. Hate your skin all you want but you will still be dark. And if you’re light, no amount of sunlight will change that. You’ll just get sunburn. Thin lips? Long nose? Flabby arms? Freckles? Big feet? Whatever! That’s life! Just accept the body that you have. It’s not perfect but then again, if you’re a mum’in, you know that only Allah is perfect.
5a) In addition to the advice above, if your favorite fashion magazines do not feature women of various colors and sizes…burn them! Get together with your girlfriends and have a ritual burning. Call it a purification ceremony meant to cleanse your psyches of fashion demons and diet pill minions.
6) If you can, travel. Experience what life is like in places that are different from yours.
That’s all. The other memes will be completed when I feel like completing them!
I tag Halle Berry, Oprah, Rihanna, Haifa Wehbe, Beyonce and Pink.
