Note to Self

Hello, 11th grade self,

I know exactly where you are in life. You have just completed your first semester of junior year, anxiously anticipating graduation, thinking about where life will lead you. Ironically, four years later, little has changed. You are now a junior in college, anxiously anticipating that graduation date, trying to plan the rest of your life. Little has changed about you; you are still disciplined, hardworking, and have little tolerance for ignorance and foolishness. I just have to take the time to say how incredibly proud of you I am; please listen closely because you won’t hear from me again. You have blossomed into an intelligent, handsome, educated, curious, driven, and intense black man whose character and integrity shine brighter than the sun. You have grown and changed so much, yet you are still the genuine person you have always been. Each day you amaze me; I have never met anyone like you. Someone who always strives to be better than the person they were the day before and who genuinely means it. I thought I would take the time to let you know that I am incredibly proud of you because you won’t. You are so terrified of failure and letting yourself down that you don’t take the time to admire your accomplishments and enjoy all the beautiful things life offers. Now that I have given you your props and an overview of your life, you must want to know what you are doing and, more importantly, some advice.

I know you are familiar with the saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same” This sums up your life. Your life has changed. You are developing into a charismatic leader, who is more outgoing and no longer fears carrying on conversations, ok we are not all the way there yet. However, you have met some wonderful people from around the world, made some new friends, and kept some old ones too. However, you have also lost some people along the way for various reasons; these losses will only make you a more robust and a better individual. You are experiencing new places and trying new things you never dreamed of. You work extremely hard to ensure your life is how you want it to be; I know you are not surprised. You have worked so hard on self-improvement that it is crazy; you will be amazed to see the young gentleman you have become. Also, you have been working extremely hard on genuinely loving the person you are. We both know that your love for yourself was never lacking; however, as you have grown, you are learning what true love means.  You now know it is ok to be selfish and focus on yourself; you do not need a group around you to make you happy. Instead, you love yourself so much that sometimes it is almost scary.

You are doing some fantastic things and accomplishing dreams. You know, with all the good does come some bad. You will experience some mountains and valleys. There will be some days when you just don’t want to get out of bed in the morning; there will be some days when you want to give up on your dreams when they seem unattainable. Days will be filled with darkness, clouds, rain, tears, and pain.

Nonetheless, you will experience so much sunshine, laughter, happiness, and pure joy, joy that sometimes seems overwhelming. Things seem to stay the same because you haven’t changed. As stated earlier, you are the same genuine individual at your core that you have always been.

Here comes the most important part, some advice from your older self. My most significant advice is to take life one day at a time but enjoy the ride. You will learn that life can be extremely difficult and challenging without you trying to make it difficult. Try not to put any unnecessary stress or pressure on yourself.  Let God and life guide you to where you should be; do your best with what you have, and allow God to handle the rest. Even when it’s hard, enjoy life as much as possible. This means don’t rush it; I know that everyone around you is telling you this. Life goes extremely fast( I can’t believe it has been four years since 11^th grade), so there is no need to rush it. Every step in life you take, good or bad, you gain so much strength and wisdom; you grow and become better than the person you were the day before.  Enjoy all the moments in life; they build who you are and lead you into your destiny. You are doing just fine in life; enjoy every moment of it. Seize every opportunity that is open to you. Do everything your heart desires, within reason, and be the person you dream of.

I Love You,

Your Older Self

Until next time:

Let God’s light shine within you and through you!