The Girl and the Goddess: Stories and Poems of Divine Wisdom

Tell your daughters how you love your body. Tell them how they must love theirs. Tell them to be proud of every bit of themselves— from their tiger stripes to the soft flesh of their thighs, whether there is a little of them or a lot, whether freckles cover their face or not, whether their curves are plentiful or slim, whether their hair is thick, curly, straight, long or short. Tell them how they inherited their ancestors, souls in their smiles, that their eyes carry countries that breathed life into history, that the swing of their hips does not determine their destiny. Tell them never to listen when bodies are critiqued. Tell them every woman’s body is beautiful because every woman’s soul is unique.

Grandmothers are a gift not to be taken lightly. So many lose them, before they are old enough to know their magic. I am glad my bones were born with this knowledge. She taught me how to become a good ancestor. At least this - loving her presence, appreciating her wisdom - is something I know how to do well.

Be inconvenient. Raise your hand despite their groans. Voice you opinions. Enter debates. Classrooms are not only boys’ domains.

Survival is ugly. Healing is messy. Self-love is complicated.

But we remember that family is not just those of blood. But also those we choose to love.

There is a difference between power and powerful. When you have power, you can hurt someone with it. But powerful is when you help someone in trouble, even if you don't benefit.

You cannot destroy a family. Even if you try. Even through war. Some part of them always remains.

Even the day must let go of the sun and allow the light to disappear, so the darkness can live for a while. The only way out of grief is through it. How else does one make way for dawns, and new beginnings where healing smiles?

Sometimes all it takes to help someone survive anything brutal are those six words: 'None of it was your fault.

I don't know how to love people well yet. But I know I can love you the way you deserve, if you let me.

I hope for a friendship where we can make each other laugh and all the colours we see in each other, on the days we are rainbows as much as on the days we are shades of grey.

The truth is, any hardship is bearable if you have someone to share it.

Girlhood is confronting the parts of you that you think are too dark for anyone to love.

I learn that day just how someone can use their privilege to champion others and help them rise too.

We remember that family is not just those of blood. But also those we choose to love.

All because you were born into a family that could afford these things for you. This is called a privilege and you must never forget it.

But I was brutal and violent in a way they tell women not to be.

If we had no fears to master, how else would we grow?

You will be forced to face more this year that you wished to keep secret. You will know love in the most painful of ways. You are oversensitive and others will hurt you, because you still haven't learned to harden your heart.

There is an old saying that when you meet your soulmate, your heart will not palpitate. Your body will not grow hot. Instead, you will feel like suddenly, you understand everything, and the tranquility of a thousand moons will grow between you. That was how she felt when she saw him.

Forgiveness is easier to give to others than to yourself. But I am slowly learning.

What I am trying to say is, it is only through exploring your shadow self that you can reach enlightenment. What I am trying to say is, it is only through accepting the parts that you are ashamed of that you can truly know yourself.

You see, there can be no life without death

It’s how I learn there are a multitude of ways to say I love you. For so many you don’t have to use words at all.

Learn it well. Wear your hair wild, embrace your anger and learn to wield it without fear as a sword against those who hurt you.

If two Gods can love each other with no objection from the divine or the universe, who are mortals to tell other mortals who they can and cannot love?

You don't know what to do with your fear; you just know when it does come, it has to be a secret you keep to yourself.

you have to choose between freedom and comfort. You choose freedom. Of course you choose freedom.

It happens suddenly. One day, your parents don't pick you up any more.