As Women’s Day approaches, I’ve reflected on lessons I’ve learned throughout my life— particularly as a woman. Some of our most important life lessons come to us through personal experience. If I could have a chat with my younger self, I would offer a few lessons I’ve learned. But since I can’t do that, I’ll offer these lessons to my daughter, and to any other woman looking for a few insights.  Among all your other life lessons, make it a point to deeply know these seven things.

First, know your worth.  It’s easy for us to forget this, particularly as mothers when we become absorbed in our children and their needs.  Sometimes, while being devoted to our partners, our kids, or to our many other responsibilities, we become invisible.  Without meaning to, we teach others to ignore us, that our needs don’t matter as much as theirs.  We need to remember that we can love others, serve others, and help others, without losing sight of our own worth.

Second, know your identity.  Whether it’s cultural, spiritual, or psychological—know who you are and what you stand for.  If you don’t know, take time to think it through and find out!  Reflect on what matters to you, what you like, what bothers you, and what you’d like to change or improve upon.  Ponder your non-negotiables in life.  Don’t move so fast through life that you forget to pause and remember who you are.

Third, know your stuff.  What stuff, you might ask?  Whatever is important to you.  Try to continually learn—about life, about the world, about yourself.  Read, and read a variety of things.  Talk to people, listen to people, observe the world.  When you find your passion, become an expert on it.  Do well in your profession.  Be that woman who knows her stuff!

Fourth, know your talents.  We are all good at something.  Find what that is—whether it is an overt, obvious talent like painting, dancing, or public speaking—or whether it’s a subtle gift.  Maybe you’re talented at making others comfortable in social situations, or perhaps you are a brilliant organizer.  Whatever it is, know it, own it, and use it to help others.

Fifth, know your resources. We all need people—friends, family, colleagues, experts in various fields.  We need to be bold yet humble enough to reach out to others when we need help, support, guidance, or information. Know who the people are who can help you, and don’t be afraid to ask for that help.  There is a wealth of resources in the form of people, information, and businesses.

Sixth, know how to serve.  There’s no better way to get over your problems than to serve others.  This doesn’t need to be saving the world or starting a formal charity, though these are noble pursuits.  Listen to a friend, go out of your comfort zone to help someone in need.  Listen, observe, and be ready and willing to reach out and lift someone’s spirits or help them in a tangible way.  If you are a mother, you do this every day already, but you can also go beyond your family circle and be there for others in whatever way you can.

Seventh, and perhaps most important, know how to forgive.  There are going to be disappointments. There are going to be unfair, unkind, and unbelievably painful things that happen.  These will vary from person to person, and maybe your sorrow will not be of the same magnitude as someone else’s, but I assure you, everyone will experience sorrow. Sometimes, this will be an accident or a natural occurrence. But often, sadly, this sorrow will be at the hands of another person. As painful as this is, don’t let it make you bitter.  Instead, let it make your stronger, wiser, and more compassionate.  It’s one of the hardest things you’ll ever do, but forgive those who hurt you.  Mother Theresa said it beautifully: “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and selfish.  Forgive them anyway.”

All of us, both men and women, will live more happily as we come to know these 7 lessons. Happy Women’s Day!