A Love Letter to My Younger Self

In honor of International Women's Day and Women's History Month, I wrote a love letter to my younger self.

To my younger self,

You are not too sensitive or too emotional. It's OK to have big emotions- you have experienced many heavy things, and they are too much for anyone to carry. One day you will learn how to process your feelings, in the meantime I want to remind you that you don't have to chase your emotions. Being called "weak" is not an insult, God will always be your strength and what God considers to be strong may be what others consider to be weak.

All the things that people call "flaws" about you will actually be turned into ASSETS, so you don't need to obsess about being perfect. 

It's not the end of the world!!! You will smile again, you will laugh again and you will love again. You will begin again. Breathe more and breathe deeply. 

Listen and hear me well- how other people treat you and speak to you is NOT a reflection of who you are or your worth and does NOT define you. How other people treat you and speak to you is more often a reflection and projection of how they are feeling within. Enjoy the people who enjoy you!

I am proud of you and the way you care for others. You see people like Jesus does- you believe the best about people when you could easily have a calloused heart. Your style and fashion sense are one for the ages- continue to explore your creativity and express yourself through your art.

Reading, writing and learning are gateways to a life beyond your wildest dreams. These are what help you to not stay stuck in your environment or focused on things beyond your control.

Your beauty is more than skin deep. The most beautiful things about you cannot even be seen with the physical eyes- they can only be felt, seen and heard with the heart.

You have an exciting, tremendous and stunning life in store for you! You will be super happy that you hung in there and didn't give up on your life/self! God will never give up on you- the Holy Spirit is within you and holding you up. Celebrate every win and remember every answered prayer. Oh and be sure to dance as much as possible; don't allow anything or anyone to stop you from dancing- you'll thank me later!