Monday, 14 October 2013

'To my 15-year-old self': Things I wish I'd known


CNN spoke to some of the world's most remarkable and impressive women -- from across the fields of politics, science, media, sports and culture -- to find out: "Looking back, what one piece of advice would you give to your 15-year-old self?" this is what they had to say.

Make sure you continue to trust what you know now about yourself and stay true to what you believe in.
Melinda Gates; The wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, a prominent American businesswoman and philanthropist as well as the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

You've spent too many days and years trying to please others and be what they wanted you to be. You will have to learn that the wounds of your past—rape,  molestation, whipping for  ‘’stepping out of place, ‘’ and not being allowed to show anger or cry afterward – damaged your self-esteem. Yet through it all, you've held on to a belief in God and God’s belief in you.
Oprah Winfrey; Talk show host , actress, producer, media proprietor and philanthropist.

I wish I could tell my 15-year-old self these four things:
1. Never think you can’t do anything because you’re a woman; everything is open to you as a girl. The future is yours.
2. Have a dream, a goal and vision for yourself and work single-mindedly toward it – not just professionally but personally as well.
3. Family is very important -- a close, loving, supportive family will sustain you through all your ambitions, your climb up the ladder – when things go well and when they don’t.
4. Perhaps the most important thing i could say is to never be thrown by failure and mistakes. Each and everything that happens, even if it was what you hoped that would happen, is a valuable, life-learning tool. And you will only achieve success if you know how to learn from your failure and mistakes. It’s vital.
Christiane Amanpour; Amanpour is CNN's chief international correspondent and anchor of Amanpour, a nightly foreign affairs program.

People do things differently, and that’s ok! Learn from those who worked the road before you, but carve your own path. So be different, explore the twists and turns on your way, and don’t fear the occasion fall – it is part of every journey.
Queen Rania of Jordan; Queen Rania was appointed the Honorary Global Chair of the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI).

Believe in your dreams and ideas and pursue them with determination and motivation. Always find the time to do something for other people. Indeed, there is nothing more rewarding than making someone else happy.
Fabiola Gianotti; Fabiola is a world-renowned physicist at CERN

Don’t be discouraged if there aren’t enough role models paving the way for you. Imagine the future as you want it to be and you will succeed.
Cherie Blair; Cherie is a British barrister specializing in public law, married to former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

My parents always told me that it seems that so many decisions you make at 15 are so crucial and big but there’s so many more years ahead where you’ll be able to change a few things around; so don’t put too much pressure in your life. There is always going to be room for improvement.
Maria Sharapova; Ranked the women's number two tennis player, She has won 27 women's singles titles and won a silver medal in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

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