If you aren’t sure you really know who she is, Lady Gaga that is, here are some of the astounding work stats that will help explain this singer and her recent rise to fame:

• In 18 months she sold 8 millions disks
• She is the only music star to have 4 number one hits come from a single CD or album
• Her debut album, The Fame, earned her 6 Grammy Awards

Oh, and by the way, she is not yet 24.

On the growing up side of life she began playing piano by ear at age 4 and is classically trained in music and the liberal arts. She loves her parents and works hard at “keeping my dream alive and making sure I live my dream through my work” she told Oprah the other day.

So what can we learn from this youngster who wears outrageous costumes both on stage and off? Let me quote another bit of her philosophy as told to Oprah on the Oprah show on Friday. Oprah asked her what her philosophy was, what she wanted people to understand about her, and this is how she answered.

“I want them to free themselves, and I want them to be proud of who they are and celebrate all the things they don’t like about themselves.”

You may think that this is pretty typical stuff from a 20-something who is making a living in ridiculous outfits with not a care in the world for the future. I heard something much different.

In fact she said what I haven’t yet said to the women I speak to, and write to. Classes in weight loss, healthy eating, how to live a vibrant life into old age–those are the surface messages and very important don’t get me wrong. But when I’m stumped to say what I really do, it’s because what I really want to do is free women from the bondage of how they see themselves. I mean see literally and figuratively. We look with critical eyes and find we are not smart enough, young enough, rich enough, brave enough–what else? The list could go on and on.

What I want to say right here and now,in keeping with my new Year’s goal to be authentic and get out of my comfort zone is, thank you Gaga for reminding me of the important message that so many women around the world need–love all of you, get over what’s not, in your eyes, perfect or worse, that you think of as unacceptable. Be proud of who you are regardless of age, shape, gender, persuasion, career, work, kids/no kids, spouse/no spouse. Did I mention age?

Her commitment to live her dream, to ensure that she gets to live it via her shows, her costumes and friends should also be noted. 18 months of following her dream, having the support of people who believed in her and shutting her ears to those who said she was nuts, allows her to live and refine her dream day to day.

What would that feel like–even on a small scale? You may not want to trot around on stage half naked (one reporter commented that she has a hard time remembering to wear a top and a bottom at the same time) with crazy wigs and lots of makeup. You may simply want to take electric guitar lessons, or carve out time to swim, or write. Or, you may have those stage dreams. If any of your yet unattempted dreams are important to you I’ve got a hunch you’ve got to go Gaga in the “free yourself and love yourself” categories before you’ll make those things a priority.

Oprah paraphrased, “The message of Gaga is to be who you are.” Is there a better time than midlife to start?