“A woman should have…
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own even if she never wants
to or needs to…
A woman should have…
something perfect to wear if the employer or her date of her
dreams wants to see her in an hour…
A woman should have…
a youth she is content to leave behind…
A woman should have…
a past juicy enough that she’s looking forward to
retelling it in her old age…
A woman should have…
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black
lace bra…
A woman should have…
one friend who makes her laugh and one who
lets her cry…
A woman should have…
a good piece of furniture not perviously owned by anyone
else in her family…
A woman should have…
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a
recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored…
A woman should have…
a feeling of control over her destiny
Every woman should know…
how to fall in love without losing herself…
Every woman should know…
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship…
Every woman should know…
when to try harder and when to walk away…
Every woman should know…
that she can’t change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips or the nature of her parents..
Every woman should know…
that her childhood may not have been perfect – but it’s over…
Every woman should know…
what she would and wouldn’t do for love or more…
Every woman should know…
how to live alone – even if she doesn’t like it…
Every woman should know…
whom she can trust,
whom she can’t,
and why she shouldn’t
take it personally…
Every woman should know…
where to go –
be it her best friend‘s kitchen table,
or a charming inn in the woods,
when her soul needs soothing…
Every woman should know..
what she can and can’t accomplish in a day,
a month, and a year.
–Pamela Redmond Satran
Waiting for the Karma Truck 
this is absolutely perfect – thanks for sharing it with us
one more thing a woman needs –to read this
I loved it – read it years ago (many, many years ago) when I was a single mom and it stayed with me. It’s a good read with even better advice.
True. I know a few men who could use those things…except for the lace underwear of course… 🙂
Astonishing photo up top!
– J.
Laughing – It’s true – the black lace bra is not necessarily a male imperative..
so perfect, thank you!
🙂 Happy you liked it!
I love this! Thank you for posting it!!!
My pleasure – I’m so happy you liked it!
Brilliant! Should be a gift to every woman on her 21st birthday!
What a terrific idea!
Lovely, Mimi, just like you. Full stop. And I LOVE Susan’s birthday suggestion! 🙂 xoxo, l
Aw honey..I can’t take any credit for this – other than posting someone else’s lovely words. But I love you for thinking of me as such. Full stop..xoxo
ps. And yes – Susan’t suggestion is terrific!
And the photo! What a wonderful start to my day. Thank you!
Have a wonderful day Laurie!!
Beautifully said and oh so true.
I think so too…;-)
I, too, was fortunate enough to read this for the first time many years ago. Doesn’t surprise you, does it? Had forgotten much of the sage advice within it poetic doors. Like an old friend, the words walked right in and made themselves comfortable, once again, in the present. Funny what the mind remembers. Guess what Jenna is going to receive this year in her birthday card along with a set of power tools? Loved waking up to this. xoxoxo
Laughing – nope, no surprise on this end – just delight. And if you buy the power tools, I’ll buy her a set of screwdrivers. xoxox
Deal. To the moon and back…
Her book “The Possibility of You” is a great read. Thanks for a wonderful post today.
I agree – it’s a terrific read. Enjoy your day Bill and thanks for stopping by.
Beautiful, Mimi. Thank you for posting this. I wish there were a “love” button!
Me too Cathy!! I think this is a ‘must’ read for all of us..
better late than never…have never seen this before. worth the wait. thanks mim…perfect post..xoxo
It had been a long time since I had seen it – and it was good to read again…xoxo
This is exactly what I knew as feminism before it became a dirty word. Beautiful, and the perfect gift for my niece who is turning 25 in two weeks.
Me too Jill – and in my book, it’s the definition I choose to stick with…Happy Birthday to your niece!!
When life pulls me down, I am reminded of this!! Thanks for sharing…:)
🙂 It’s a great reminder!
May this spread to all the women in the world, and may they find strength and comfort in these powerful and loving words.
May all the men of the world learn from them too, so we will know better as to how to treat women.
Russ
Your generosity knows no bounds my friend…In this instance though, I think these are lessons for women to learn about themselves – their abundant talents, thoughts and gifts. And may those who love them, appreciate them in their totality. 🙂
Hear, hear – I love this! Have to work on that cordless drill thing, though 🙂 Thanks for sharing as always Mimi!
I love cordless drills!!! Such feelings of power! 😉
I love this Mimi! I guess I need to go shopping because I do not own a black lace bra anymore 🙂
Laughing – me too!!
At least I am not alone 🙂
Nope Tina – there area few of us!! 🙂
Perfect guidelines for every woman. Now I know which ones I’ve got down and which ones I have to work on. Always a work in progress. Thats a good thing. Thanks Miss M xo
Isn’t it though – I will forever bee a work in progress , with some places needing a wee bit more improvement than other!! 😉
Yes yes yes I agree this woman may not have all those things but she does have a bloody great life
And that’s the best of all!
This is beautiful like you Twinky. Have a fabulous day. hugs on the way. 🙂 ♥
Thank you Renee..I wish I could take credit for this, but I too love its message. And the hugs are gratefully received and given right back to you..<3
This post was absolutely amazing. I forwarded it to my daughter. Thank you.
Sheri
Sent from My iPhone theothersideofugly.com
I really thought it was special when I read it – I’m thrilled you thought so to..Thank you.
Beautiful poem. I will copy and keep.
Had to laugh at this though “A woman should have…a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra…”
talk about being prepared for ALL occasions!
Exactly!! And arguably in that order too!
By the way, I was reading one of your posts the other day … I think it was a poem you reblogged so then my comment ended up on someone elses’s blog … anyway, wherever it started I kept going from one blog to another, one internet site to another, and ended up saving world poverty with Bono!!
See how inspirational you are 🙂
Laughing – Elizabeth you have made so many of my early mornings, I can’t even count them all. Thank you – and to think that I can now say that Bono and I have been mentioned in the same sentence. Talk about a Beautiful Day (sorry I couldn’t resist)..;-)
Reblogged this on ELANA – The Voice of the Future.
Love the poem. Really really love the photograph – is it yours? Stunning.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this ~ thanks for sharing! xo
You had me at: a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra…
🙂
I love this even though I’m not a women I agree that that’s exactly how a women should feel!
I don’t think you need to be a woman to have a response to this – and I applaud you for feeling so supportive!
Yeah true and thanx 🙂
Every woman should read this so I shared it on twitter. The least I can do. Love, love, LOVE this!
I agree!!
Thank you..