i AM a Princess

When I was a little girl, my father used to tell me I was his little princess. I know many fathers say this to their little girls, but there was something about the way my father told me that made me believe that I truly was a princess.
At age four, I often played with a girl who lived two houses down. Her mother and my mother were close friends. As we played beside the house our mothers chatted around the corner. I remember her saying to me, "let's pretend we are princesses!" Naturally, my response was that I was a princess and didn't have to pretend that. I wanted to pretend something else. There was no fun in pretending what was my reality. This story has followed me my entire life and has provided for many laughs; as well as endless embarrassment on my part.
As an adult, I am no longer embarrassed at this, but proud to tell this story. My father loved me so strongly that he instilled in me a sense of self-worth. He said it with such certainty and he said it several times daily. Perhaps it was the fact that he more than said it, he treated me like a princess. He showered me with love, he confirmed that love with silly rituals, and he protected our home and livelihood. He allowed me to be a child and encouraged me to express myself freely. He showed me that he felt I was worthy of the best. To him, I was a true princess.
Somewhere throughout the years, I lost this conviction. I allowed the opinions of others to strip me of my title. I accepted their judgments and aspired to be what they wanted me to be. I forgot that I was already the best me.
If I had held onto that feeling my father gave to me, my life would be much different than it is today. For better or worse, I do not know. Just different. I cannot say that I regret the choices I have made. Even the choices that allowed me to be treated like a beggar rather than a princess, have taught me humility and gratitude. I have become compassionate, patient, and loyal through my tribulations.
What I do know is that despite the choices I make, I am still worthy of being treated like a princess. Once again, I believe in my heart that I am a true princess. I now teach my daughter to believe the same of herself. When you think of yourself as valuable as a princess, you will not tolerate being treated like anything else.
This is not to be vain, or selfish. A good princess also has a good heart. Every woman, EVERY woman is a princess. Without us, life would cease to exist. Our homes, communities, our countries would falter. We have to know that our presence is vital. We have to know that we make a difference in this thing called life. Once a woman knows what she is deserving of, she will demand it. And once she receives it, she will have the strength to change the world. Even if it is only her own.