Being a strong, independent woman is all about being in charge of your life and embracing your femininity. This woman will inspire you every day and command your respect and admiration. We make it easy for you to spot this modern-day goddess with these 12 traits that define her!
1. She knows her own worth and won’t settle for anything less, be it professionally or personally. She deserves the best – be it that promotion or even that designer bag – she gets it and the best thing is – she’s never apologetic about it.
2. She’s always up for new challenges. She doesn’t get disheartened over minor hiccups and bumps. She doesn’t let failures define her life but uses them to grow and evolve. She knows how to adapt to situations.
3. She’s confident about her looks and comfortable in her own skin. Big, small, skinny or not – she’s happy where she is. She knows how to make the best of what she has and how to camouflage the bits she’s still working on.
4. She’s financially stable – or is getting there. She definitely knows how to balance her books. She knows how much is in her bank account.
5. She takes responsibility for her own emotional well-being. She knows her own worth and isn’t easily swayed by what others think. She listens to advice but makes up her own mind.
6. Romantic relationships are not the only priority in her life. She’ll love fiercely but she’ll know the difference between being in love and following her man everywhere.
7. She’ll stand up for what she believes is right, and she is willing to go against the people closest to her to stand up for what she believes in.
8. She’s able to juggle between her job and personal life with flair. She may not be superwoman, but she’s pretty darn close to it.
9. She has a fairly good idea of what she wants in life and how to get there. But the good thing this is she rolls with the punches. She knows there are many roads that lead to her goals.
10. She is assertive and doesn’t shy away from asking for what she wants. She never found her inner doormat – and thank God for it!!
11. She is her own person and is proud of it. She knows that a marriage, babies, a man, friends are all important but they do not define her.
12. She has a sense of humour. She can laugh at herself and she doesn’t take herself too seriously. She’s the bestie you want to have!
Just in case you were wondering what got us started on this post – it was the gutsy Deepika Padukone back in September 2014. She responded to her objectification by the Times of India with intelligence and flair. We love her for it! Here is her open letter, which was in response to Pooja Bedi’s article in the daily. And seriously, you cannot equate objectifying a woman’s cleavage to admiring male abs! #FacePalm
My Point of View…
There is only ONE sign that a woman wants to have sex and that is that she says “YES”.
The reason I write the above line is because we all know that in India we are so desperately trying to make a change in the way sections of our society think in order to move towards a happier world devoid of inequality, rape, fear and pain.
I am not naive about my own profession; it is one that requires lots of demanding things of me. A character may demand that I be clothed from head to toe or be completely naked, and it will be my choice as an actor whether or not I take either. Understand that this is a ROLE and not REAL, and it is my job to portray whatever character I choose to play convincingly.
What my concern is and I am stating it clearly so it is not misconstrued or confused with Shahrukh’s 8-pack or any other woman’s or man’s anatomy. I have spoken out against an ideology that such regressive tactics are still being employed to draw a reader’s attention at a time when we are striving for women’s equality and empowerment. In a time where women should be applauded for making headway in a male-dominated society, we blur the lines between REEL and REAL life and dilute all our efforts by making a one-year old back sliding piece of news a headline. Digging out an old article and headlining it “OMG: Deepika’s Cleavage Show!” to attract readers is using the power of influence to proliferate recessive thought.
When an actresses’ inner wear decides to do a “peek-a-boo”, she most definitely did not step out with the intention to do so. So instead of zooming in, circling it and pointing arrows at it, why don’t we give her some ‘respect’ and let it go instead of making it ‘headlines’!? Are we not human? Yes we marvel, envy and drool over a male actors 8 pack abs in a film, but do we zoom in on the mans ‘crotch’ when he makes a public appearance and make that ‘cheap headlines’??!!
I have no issue celebrating my body and I have never shied away from anything on-screen to portray a character. In fact my next character portrayed is a bar dancer (sorry Farah for the spoiler!) who titillates men as a means to support her livelihood. My issue is you propagating the objectification of a REAL person,and not a character being played. Sure, dissect my characters if you wish-if it is of so much interest then discuss the character’s cup size and leg length if it is relevant to making the role convincing. All I am asking for is respect as a woman off-screen.
It is not about breasts, penises, or any other body part being reported. It is a matter of context and how out-of-context the reportage is just to sell a headline. And more so during a time in dire need of an attitude shift towards women.
For me this topic ends here. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I have little interest to take this further as it might get more attention than it deserves and might be further misconstrued and twisted to sell more undeserved headlines.
Having said that, please may we show love, dignity and respect to each other.
Live well, laugh often and love much.
Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone image: Viral Bhayani
GIFs source: wifflegif.com, Tumblr.com, plus.google.com
MUST-READ: #GirlPower: Bow Down to Parineeti and Tip Your Hat to Deepika! They ROCK
