A message to all women from Matan Uziel.

It seems pretty fitting, on International Women's Day, REAL WOMEN/REAL STORIES' 5th anniversary, to write a letter to our subscribers and donors.

First, and possibly most importantly, know that you don't belong to anything or anyone. Never allow yourself to feel like you do. You--and only you--have total agency over yourself and your body.

Do what makes you happy; happiness and the ability to find joy in your days is so important.

Make friends and keep those friendships alive, they are important, not just when you are young, but throughout your life.

Be proud of being a girl and a woman. Women are amazing. (Men are too, of course, and although we are all equal, that does not mean we should not celebrate our differences too. I believe it's diversity and our differences that make us great.) You can be ALL woman and still rule the corporate world, should that be your dream. Just like a great man can choose to stay at home and raise his children every day. Do what sets your soul on fire.

Find joy in the little things. (You will soon enough see they are what really matters).

Don't take things for granted; your relationships, your health, your success. Work at them and they will flourish.

Make a difference in the world, and aim to leave it a little better than it was when you entered it, be it by having raised a healthy child, grown your own vegetable garden or supported a project you believed in.

Enjoy fashion, it is frivolous and fun and fabulous. But never let anyone tell you that labels define you. Not the ones sown into the back of your dress, nor the ones people are keen to put on you.

Don't let yourself be consumed with negative people and their negative energy.

Rise above pettiness.

Forgive your enemies, nothing will annoy them more. You don't have to respect them or even like them, but forgiveness will set you free.

Believe in miracles, little ones and big ones.

Be kind. Kindness will always breed kindness.

For those who still didn't but want, I hope you marry (or live in utter contentment with!) someone who makes you laugh – every day. :-)

Also, don't let anyone dictate who you fall in love with. When you know it's right, it's right.

Cry all you want, crying does not make you weak.

Don't worry if you--as a woman--sometimes feel underestimated. That is their mistake. Give it your best, and enjoy the look on their faces when they realize you are SO much more than they expected you to be.

Strive to succeed, but never feel like a failure for giving up on something that simply doesn't work, be it a relationship, a work project or a marathon. That isn't being a quitter, it is knowing deep down you gave it your best, and that is all you can do. Walking away from something is sometimes the most courageous thing you can do.

In a world increasingly obsessed with Kardashians and Jenners, I hope you'll be a Hepburn. (!)

Beauty is what you want it to be, don't be too concerned with what other people tell you it is. I hope you will come to realize that it is your heart and your mind that will set the world on fire.

As the director of this project, I just hope that I have done my job right. That I have communicated the message with empathy, confidence, intelligence and grace. And that we create content that matters to YOU.

Last but not least, I wanted to thank all the women who participate in our important project and wish them the best. The world needs more women like that.

Happy International Women's Day!

BE BLESSED.
Matan Uziel
Director
REAL WOMEN/REAL STORIES
http://www.patreon.com/realwomenrealstories