For my Renaissance Black Women...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you've come.
2. Enough money within your control to move out and rent a place on your own, even if you never want or need to.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
4. A purse, suitcase and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you're content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you're looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you're actually going to have an old age and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
9. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
10. A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
11. Eight matching plates, wineglasses with stems and a recipe for a meal that will make your guests feel honored.
12. A resume that is not even the slightest bit padded.
13. A feeling of control over your destiny.
14. A skin care regime, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don't get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss a man in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn't like to happen next.
6. How to have a good time at a party you'd never choose to attend.
7. How to ask for what you want in a way that makes it most likely you'll get it.
8. That you can't change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
9. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it's over.
10. What you would and wouldn't do for love or money.
11. How to live alone, even if you don't like it.
12. Who you can trust, who you can't, and why you shouldn't take it personally.
13. Where to go - be it your best friend's kitchen table or a charming inn hidden in the woods - when your soul needs soothing.
14. What you can and can't accomplish in a day, a month or a year.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.

36 comments

Don February 25, 2008 at 2:39 PM

RBW yall.

Eb, I like when you come with these kinds of post. How many of the list do you have under control?

Yeah, I'm nosy as f.

CHA CHA February 25, 2008 at 3:09 PM

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you've come.

This one stuck out the most because one of my first boyfriends told me that I was not good enough to be any man’s wife…..his Ass was WRONG!..Im on my second husband, not by choice but it took that for me to learn and recognize how far I have come

9. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it's over.

This stuck out the most to me..although my childhood was horrible God has given me a second chance to make someone else’s life a bit better with raising my children

Anonymous February 25, 2008 at 3:25 PM

Great list (although I have questions about the first #8)!

Brionne February 25, 2008 at 3:58 PM

This list is soooo true!! I think I'm gonna print this and use it as a blueprint for life... thanks!!

12kyle February 25, 2008 at 4:05 PM

Eb
This is a great list. I'm gonna send it to my lil sis.

Anonymous February 25, 2008 at 4:43 PM

Good read. got to work on it....

Anonymous February 25, 2008 at 5:21 PM

I have this list posted for me to keep things into perspective. It's one among many lists. Glad to know there are other women hip to the game! Keep at it!!!

Adei von K February 25, 2008 at 5:53 PM

nice list! i was nodding in agreement to everything.

James Tubman February 25, 2008 at 6:52 PM

really wasn't feeling the first list but the second list made up for it

really not feeling the first list but i'm not a woman so maybe i should not have even commented

sorry

eclectik February 25, 2008 at 7:09 PM

Fun and funny.

And every woman should have e in their life one way or another.

eclectik

MsKayotic February 25, 2008 at 8:07 PM

This entry was so on point.

Real talk. Real stuff. Real good, girl!

Especially having money to rent a place if you need it. That's what's up right there.

Sweet Intent February 25, 2008 at 8:16 PM

Great list. I'm going to print it and keep it so I can refer to it every now and then :-) Thanks!

A Beautifulstruggle February 25, 2008 at 8:47 PM

That's right gurl!! Now, let me go work on a few of those myself. I plan to have them all down pack by my twenty fifth.

Mizrepresent February 25, 2008 at 9:41 PM

Excellent List EB! An i agree with most, if not all!

kit von b. February 25, 2008 at 9:49 PM

wow...i can't disagree with ANYTHING ON THIS POST...i love it.

-karrie b.

kit von b. February 25, 2008 at 9:49 PM

wow...i can't disagree with ANYTHING ON THIS POST...i love it.

-karrie b.

Brittany February 25, 2008 at 10:02 PM

I like this list...makes me want to make my own.

dejanae February 25, 2008 at 10:03 PM

8. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra?
ummm huh?

Muze February 25, 2008 at 10:55 PM

amen. love this list. i'm half way there! lol.

Ms.Seven Supa Sized February 25, 2008 at 11:28 PM

LOL@ can't change the width of your hips. I love the list. I may be in Manhattan on Friday. I may drop in on a party at the Manor NY. I think that's the name of it. Get at me.

Anonymous February 26, 2008 at 6:31 AM

In a few months I will see just how life begins at 30.

I like the lists.

Anonymous February 26, 2008 at 9:10 AM

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.

Hmmm....Help me Jesus with that one!

Jazzy February 26, 2008 at 10:06 AM

Luv the list!

"3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship."

Breaking up with men is still hard...I'd rather piss them off and make them want to leave me alone though. LOL!

An-Igbo-Dude February 26, 2008 at 10:10 AM

nice blo..first time here

now do u have any piece on what men should have and know?

...just curious

Why Not Kristin February 26, 2008 at 10:25 AM

I LOVE this list, I read it every now and again to put things in perspective!!!

The Jaded NYer February 26, 2008 at 10:42 AM

Girl- now I gotta print up this list and paste it to my fridge along with all my other goals...why you giving more work to do? LOL

Love the list!!

Queen of My Castle February 26, 2008 at 11:06 AM

Lovin this. I can NEVER read it too many times.

Slaus of O Hell Nawl February 26, 2008 at 12:30 PM

Every woman should Have -
the decency to shut the hell up and let us play Nintendo.

Every Woman should know - That she should shut the hell up sometimes and let me play Nintendo.

that heffa ass princess aint gone save herself is she?

Keelah February 26, 2008 at 3:12 PM

LOVING THIS LIST, GIRL! Thanks for sharing.

1/3 February 26, 2008 at 7:32 PM

love the list!

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself

Got to work on this one....

i.can't.complain. February 26, 2008 at 10:56 PM

i gotta get my umbrella game up, cuz mine flips inside out at the mention of a breeze.

lol

*crossing fingers*

hoping life begins at 30.

-1-

Afrobabe February 27, 2008 at 4:53 AM

Love ur blog to bits babes, I always get my fill of eye candy here...Black brothers know how to look good mannn

Ms.Lady March 2, 2008 at 9:40 PM

9. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it's over.

This one stuck out for me b/c I have some issues with my Dad stemming from childhood and I truly feel I cant live my life the way it needs to be lived until I forgive him.

13. A feeling of control over your destiny.

Taking control as we speak.

I loved this post Eb..I really did.

Anonymous March 23, 2008 at 10:23 AM

I love this post! There is a lot in here that I have never really thought about.

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