Michelle blogged this a few weeks ago and I love it. I agree with every word, but I'm nowhere near there yet (I've got a cordless drill ... but no drill bits).
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a youth she's content to leave behind....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
one friend who always makes her laugh...
and one who lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a feeling of control over her destiny...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend
without ruining the friendship...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder...
and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips,
or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... 
Oh, that's truly wonderful! Makes me feel quite calm, in some strange way.
Posted by: maz | 14 May 2008 at 01:30 PM
Now, you see, I know that's supposed to be inspirational but it just makes me feel inadequate. I'm not saying it isn't beautiful, it is, but it just depresses me....
Posted by: JoJo | 14 May 2008 at 02:15 PM
Oh, no, JoJo - what I take from it is that although absolutely anything is possible for anyone, there is no pressure. It sounds weird but in a way it reminds me of one of my daughter's childhood books called "I can squash elephants" - which I found to be really inspirational during a very difficult period in my life. (She didn't like it!!)
Posted by: maz | 14 May 2008 at 04:31 PM
I'm halfway between. It makes me feel inadequate, but inspires me to do better.
This bit
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...
gives me the shivers every time I read it, obsessed as I am with childhood mistakes (both my own and other people's).
Posted by: Keris | 14 May 2008 at 04:39 PM
But isn't that what childhood is - a big, long learning curve? And if no-one ever made a mistake, well, they're just from another planet! What Maya wrote, I feel, is just as a reference. Not to make anyone feel bad or good about themselves. Childhood is a strange time because we're all dependent on other people to do the right thing by us and unfortunately, they don't always. (And some other kids are just plain obnoxious!!)
Posted by: maz | 15 May 2008 at 01:53 PM