She was so serious. She wanted to be a detective (not enough crime in her country), a writer (pending), a movie director (in a parallel life). But what she really wanted was to live by the sea. Here it is, 1.8 km away.
Hold on to your books. Have your priorities straight. Always talk back if there is injustice.
If ambition sounds as ugly to you as it did to me, reword. Call it calling. If potential sounds as ugly to you as it did to me, reword. Call it superpower.
Thank you, Still Restless Jo, for alerting me to this campaign.
Inspire the next generation of girls by sharing your photo and your story.
(In other news, we didn’t have internet since 8 pm yesterday till right now, that is for about 19 hours. I better get some posts for the next days in drafts. One never knows.)
This day in my blogging history
An Embarrassment of Riches 
Good post, Manja. Call it ‘ambition’ and call it ‘potential.’ Let people get used to the power of the female voice.
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True, Lois, they should get used to this power, but for me these were always ugly words. I saw many ambitious people in my life, and shared my class with them, and they looked ugly to me. And I always HATED when someone mentioned my “potentials” and how I was not using them. Fey! Thank you!
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Wow. You just spoke about my school days. Every time my dad came home from a parent-teacher conference, he always said the same darn thing: ‘Your teachers say you are not working up to your potential.’ Ugh. I couldn’t stand school; who cared about my potential. I just wanted out–then I’d find my potential. Sisters in arms, Manja!
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Oh yes, I just wanted out too. 🙂 Cheers!
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That little girl. Aww— mazing! Her smart shows. Love her already.
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Aaaah, thank you, Selma! That smart needed years to turn into street smart and be of any use though. 😀
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1.8 km sounds awesome to me. I love that black and white photo of the little you with a book. Adorable.
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Thank you, Bojana. I remember this grip. Still have it.
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Such a sweetheart! Thanks so much for the link, Manja. So long as I can dip my toes in the sea and wander a bit. Life could be so much worse 🤔💕
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Ahh, that’s for sure, Jo. We are lucky. Thank you for your post or I’d be clueless about this campaign.
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Great images of you when you were little, and I love the reworded words. Great message. Can I just say you have the best lips! I wish mine were fuller and even. 😂
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Bahha! Thank you, Deborah. My grandma used to tell me that people would die to have my lips and I was like whaaaat?? 😀
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She was right! People pay beaucoup dargent for lips like that!
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Such a cute little girl 🙂
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Thank you, Bushboy. These two photos were included in a birthday presentation that mom’s cousin made for my big 50 last year and were not familiar to me.
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I could identify with the book, Manja! That was always me. My escape to other worlds. –Curt
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We are the lucky ones. 🙂 Thank you, Curt!
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Yes indeed, Manja.
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Good advice. I think she has done quite well for herself. (K)
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Thank you, K. 🙂 We all do as we do… The best is not to judge or compare much. Above all – no fear.
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Yes comparisons are deadly.
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I like that you speak out against injustice.
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Thank you, Amanda. Somebody has to, besides Pippi Longstocking.
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Pippi is a classic role model for women! I love that you like her and that my daughter did too!
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♥
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♥♥♥
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What a lovely post Manja. Sometimes we get what we dream for….but sometimes we receive more. Have a good day my dear friend!
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Lovely words, Teresa. 🙂 To more than dreams! Thank you!
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Love this sweet photo of this child. Is that you Manja.
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Thank you, Anita. That is indeed me on both counts. 🙂
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🥰
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I love your old-school Dr. Scholl’s exercise sandals.
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😀 Thank you, Andrea. They were really popular in Yugoslavia. I think everybody had them.
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What a lovely picture! How angelic you are. Oh, that bowl cut, they were so the rage! 😀 And always with a book. Your reputation as a wordsmith was always in the making 🙂
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Thank you, Sunra Nina. Your support means a lot. ❤
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So smart and curious as a girl 🙂 I love your spirit!
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Joeyyy!! This is your first comment on this blog. It’s sooo good to see you here again. I think of you often. Greetings over the ocean.
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I think of you often, too ❤ Greetings to you too! Thank you!
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I enjoyed seeing your photos from childhood (so cute) and the message about speaking up if injustice – hear hear!
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and glad you live near the sea – ahhhh. awesome
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and another top gateway
“If ambition sounds as ugly to you as it did to me, reword. Call it calling. If potential sounds as ugly to you as it did to me, reword. Call it superpower.”
Powerful and empowering, Mcubed
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Thank you so much for sharing my thoughts on your blog, Yvette. Means truly a lot. 🙂 Always welcome back.
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🙂
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