The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.
In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
If you really want to change a culture, to empower women, improve basic hygiene and health care, and fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls.
If you want to understand someone's level of emotional maturity, observe how they respond when you express how they've hurt you. A mature individual who deeply cares about you will listen without deflecting, validate your feelings, and reflect on their actions. They will recognize that being accountable doesn't diminish their worth - rather, it deepens trust and connection with you. On the other hand, someone who is emotionally immature will dismiss, blame, or attack because self protection is more important than helping you heal. Pay attention to these responses - they will guide you toward clarity.