Monday 20 August 2012

A LETTOR TO MY 16 YEAR OLD SELF

August marks woman’s month and it also marks the celebration of my birthday. This year I have decided to write a letter to my 16 years old self, using the lessons I have learned and my favourite quotes and words from some of my favourite personalities. The lessons would have come any handy as a teenager, and as they say when you know better you do better, I intend to teach my kids so that they can navigate through the jungle called life easy. Needless to say it does not mean I have mastered them, but I am still a student of this classroom called life.
Learn to count your blessings: not your burdens. Practice counting your blessings as soon as you jump out of bed, try counting them one by one, and it will melt your worries away; it will give you the energy you need to face the complex day  or a challenging and trying time ahead. There more you praise and celebrate your life, there more there is in life to celebrate (Oprah). One thing for sure pursues happiness and joy, don’t want to acquire or achieve material wealth to be happy, just be happy. Be happy because you have woken up, you still have life; you still have one more day to fulfil your dreams and plans. You are still healthy and standing. When it is all said and done just be happy.
Take it one day at a time: don’t try to do everything or solve all the challenges you encounter in one day. There will be times when a week might overtake you in one day, a months in one week; it is fine it shall come to pass. God’s mercies are new every morning. Sleep on it and with each morning comes new strength and hope. When you try to figure out everything you’re exalting your reasoning above God’s thoughts and plans for your life.
Embrace your uniqueness: it is okay to be different, embrace what makes you different and nurture it and use it to your advantage. Accept the fact that some people might not accept it, but as long as you can accept who you are. You might be too talkative that can be strength and a career can be born out of that.
Embrace your body: love your body, every single part of it, it is God given and it will carry you through, so love and take care of it. Love your curly unmanageable hair; love your fair skin, short petite stature and think lips. Your body is a temple of God, so treat it as that. While you are at it watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Your mind is a garden and your thoughts are the seeds and you can grow flowers or you can grow weeds. A healthy mind will make taking care of your body easier.
Be your own best friend: be kind to yourself, always speak to yourself as if you were three years old. Pick yourself up when you fall, forgive yourself when you make mistake and look for lessons to learn from the experience. Be your own biggest fan and coach, encourage yourself, and believe in yourself and the beauty of your own dreams. Remember what ever thought we continually plant into our minds will grow into what we will later experience in our lives. I like what Venus Williams says “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does, that makes you a winner right there.