October 11 is the International Day of the Girl Child, as declared by the United Nations. This global observance is to honor and empower girls across the globe. Given the skills and the right opportunities, 600 million teenage girls can become resourceful, creative, and resilient. 

After reading many articles, I was led to wonder.  As a woman over 50, might I enjoy mentoring young girls and women?

I thought about my life as a young girl and my passage into womanhood. From a mentor perspective, I pondered about how I would teach these young girls positive skills on how to handle their adversities.

I decided the most important young girls I want to mentor are my granddaughters. 

After all, I am a woman over 50, and I have a lot to say. 

So, I chose to write a letter to my granddaughters on. I hope that you might do the same.

A Letter To My Granddaughters

Dear Granddaughter of Mine,

Firstly, your parents are the mentors who encourage strong character. 

As your grandmother, I encourage you to intentionally accept opportunities in leadership. Just say yes, even if you want to say no. You may be dubious and afraid, but do this anyway. Accepting challenges will build your self-confidence and faith in your capacity to lead. A leader has the opportunity to live an extraordinary life!

Life will be full of surprise events. Some will be a big WOW, while others will be intimidating, frightening, and even appalling. I hope you flourish and appreciate the WOWS with humility and gratitude, and ride your wave of adversity with a positive and fearless attitude. As a leader who wants to live an extraordinary life, you must. 

Unfortunate but true, some misfortune, hardship, and tragedy are a part of every person’s life. There is pain in saying yes and there is pain in saying no. The pain of saying no makes you a hopeless victim. The pain of saying yes says, I can handle my adversity.  

On that positive note, each adversity you face is a character builder. You will survive when you think yes instead of no. Now you are using positive mental tools!

My Keepsake Present on this International Day of the Girl Child

I am sending you a meaningful keepsake to hold onto throughout your life. It is a small stone engraved with the positive word, fearless.  

I thought back to my early childhood, teen and college years and I asked myself one question: Why have I always said yes instead of no to new endeavors?

The answer: I just can’t help it. My excitement takes over my fear. Saying yes gives me an adrenaline rush! It’s the challenge I cannot resist. It is a magical and empowering feeling. Not only that, but it is powerful.    

Yes, dear granddaughter of mine, I am a fearless grandmother. That does not mean I don’t experience and feel fear. I do. And I am sure at times you do, too. Surviving the fear and pushing through it allows you all types of marvelous possibilities. 

When you push through a fear, you open the door to rewarding and positive possibilities! You will learn new skills, absorb worthwhile knowledge, and become wise.  Your resilience against adversity and your self-confidence will soar. You will reach new maturity. Never let fear stop you from seeking new opportunities. 

Be fearless. Soar to the heights

Personally, I don’t think leaders are born. I think leadership is developed by people with a curious mind and a fearless spirit.

Dear granddaughter of mine, nod your head up and down and say, yes! 

You will have a moment to say yes or no. When you say yes, all sorts of windows of opportunity will open up to you. When you say no, you lose your window of opportunity for self growth. If I could do it, you can do it.   

If I had said no to my fears, I would not be the person I am today. 

I would not have raised my family in Honolulu or have gotten to travel to places most Americans will never see. I can go on and on about my unexpected experiences that took place because I said, yes, but I will not bore you. 

Suffice it to say dear grandchildren of mine, if you live a fearless life you will reap an expansive life – a life you never dreamed possible.  

I know.

 

 

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