Marilyn Monroe's wisdom is still timeless for women of all ages.
By Deb Dutilh — Written on Nov 02, 2016
If you're old enough, do you remember where you were when Marilyn Monroe died? It was one of those iconic times no one seems to forget. I remember her death even though I was just a little girl in summer camp learning how to shoot an arrow. Marilyn had a lot of arrows in her quiver in the form of timeless wisdom.
I often wonder how Marilyn Monroe might have changed and grown had she lived, and how she might have influenced the world and our place in it as women had she not died so tragically young. Charismatic, shy and self-confident, quick-witted with self-deprecating humor, she is still America's most famous icon because we have chosen to embrace her timelessness and keep her bombshell beauty, witticism and image alive.
Aside from her tragic death and all the speculation around the mystery of the circumstances, I think that some of her ideas should be part of every little girl's education when it comes to being a woman in a man's world and owning your feminine power.
Here are some lessons that Marilyn Monroe can teach us today:
1. 
"No one ever told me I was pretty when I was a little girl. All little girls should be told they're pretty, even if they aren't." —Marilyn Monroe
When I was born, my dad exclaimed, "She looks just like a little Marilyn Monroe!" Did I already have an hourglass figure at 8 pounds, 3 ounces and a beauty mark? Whatever he saw in me as a newborn, I grew up knowing who Marilyn Monroe was and that everyone is beautiful and needs to hear it.
Imagine how much healthier women would be if women heard that, if photoshopped, pictures weren't creating unattainable and unrealistic images of women. Imagine the world when women love their bodies completely!
2.
"I don't mind living in a man's world as long as I can be a woman in it." —Marilyn Monroe
Long before all the current, trendy, ongoing discussions about masculine and feminine energy, Marilyn knew how to be a woman in a man's world. Some might argue that in creating her sex-symbol image with tight dresses, diamonds, and enviable cleavage, she also created her own love-hate affair with Hollywood and fame. No matter, she did it with class, talent, style and charm that had us at her feet.
3.
"I have feelings too. I am still human. All I want is to be loved, for myself and for my talent." —Marilyn Monroe
In spite of or because of her inner battles and demons, we fell in love with her vulnerability, fragility and desperation need to be loved for her inner beauty, and who she was as a woman rather than her pin-up stardom sex-appeal. Nothing has changed in what men are looking for in women. Sex-appeal isn't just about a bombshell figure and dreamy eyes. It's something that comes from within, it's confidence and fragility, intelligence and authenticity, gratitude and appreciation, and she had it.
4.
"A career is wonderful, but you can't curl up with it on a cold night." —Marilyn Monroe
She knew where her priorities were and it wasn't a glorious career. What’s a life work without love, after all? And she knew she'd rather be unhappy alone than unhappy with a man. She knew that settling wasn't worth it.
5.
"I don't mind making jokes, but I don't want to look like one." —Marilyn Monroe
She had the perfect cocktail mix of glamor, wit, and brains that had men swooning at her feet. She knew how to keep her internal attraction switch flipped to on. Sex-appeal is also mystery and knowing that less is more when it comes to deciding what to reveal about yourself.
6.
"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." —Marilyn Monroe
And if you're wonderful and passionate about it, the money will follow, as they say.
7.
"If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have got anywhere." —Marilyn Monroe
In France, where I lived for 30 years, married to a Frenchman, I quickly learned that rules were meant to be seriously bent if not broken. So many of us have so many internal rules passed down from society, parents, teachers and others that we never even question if we agree or not!
Get rid of the "shoulds, ought tos, gotta do this" mentality and shift to choosing what you want to do. So you're a square peg in a round hole? More power to you for living life on the edge and making things happen!
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