what a woman should know* 

This 1997 Glamour article has become a popular web chain letter, usually titled “Maya Angelou’s Best Poem Ever.” To set the record straight, it was written by Pamela Redmond Satran. Off and on, I still refer to this list because I think it is very wise. I hope you will be as inspired as I was with this piece of gem. Enjoy! :-)

A woman should have...

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come. (Not yet, but I am sure in the future I will...)
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family. (I own all my furnitures, but I keep some small pieces from my childhood.)
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour. (I am fine in this subject...I know when to dress up and when to dress down. The trick is try to be in your best shape at all times.)
4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying. (Not necessary...am not a Gucci girl.)
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond. (Oh definitely.)
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age. (Oh definitely this one too!)
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it. (Yeah, for sure. I am not being cheap for no reason.)
8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you. (For sure. I have 4 email addresses!)
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded. (Nope. I don't pad anything. Not even my bra. Don't need to.)
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry. (Yeah, I have 2 who can do both!)
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra. (Don't need the first two. You just need a good helper contact who is available on-call, anytime!)
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it. (Yeah, just got that one after mulling over for a long time! But my "expensive" is still cheap in comparison to other woman's spending.)
13. The belief that you deserve it. (Oh yeah. I am a L'Oreal girl. I'm worth it.)
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30. (Still finding that...)
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better. (Satisfying career - check!. Satisfying relationship - none. Other things - gets better all the time!)

A woman should know:
1. How to fall in love without losing yourself. (Yeah, just learnt that one...)
2. How you feel about having kids. (Knew that I don't want any since I was 8. I am too selfish to be a mother. Mothering a cat is the best I can do, ever.)
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship. (Yeah, I am beginning to be a master in all three.)
4. When to try harder and when to walk away. (Yeah, just mastered that one too.)
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next. (Work in progress.)
6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town. (Useless information, this one.)
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to. (Mastered this one long, long time ago.)
8. How to take control of your own birthday. (I travel on my birthday.)
9;. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents. (Yeah, I stopped whining about that a loooooong long time ago. Last whine was 10 minutes ago.)
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over. (Yeah, I am all grown up now. And wise. And lost all my past baggage.)
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love. (Love and money are two separate elements. Have money first, then find love.)
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long. (That's why I am happy to be an advertising misfit - I don't smoke, drink or do drugs. But I floss. One out of 4 can't be bad. I never claim to be an angel.)
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally. (Yeah, I learnt that when I first started working. One can't be too sure to differentiate a friend from foe. Both have two legs. )
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault. (I don't do that anymore. It's too degrading and you will lose the respect of others.)
May 11, 2008 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 9:50 am
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