Tag: Motivation

Dear Future Me, …

It’s April 26th, 2019. I hope you’re doing well as you read this, not just well as in your physical health, but also your spiritual and emotional health. If you’re not well in all those areas then girl, no shame or judgment here, but take a break and work on you. It’s important that you’re doing fine and not just “ok”. We’ve talked about this already so you know my stance on “ok”. I also hope you’ve grown much more and have learned about who you truly are.

Future Me, are you all right? Have you decided what whole looks like? Have you found some examples of whole you can learn from? I really hope so. If not, then at least I hope you’ve continued to read and watch videos that are motivational and that can help you be your best you. Tell me girl, what does your life look like now. How does it compare to the day I wrote this? Are you still procrastinating? I know you can work under pressure and produce really good results comparable to or even better than had you done the tasks ahead of time. But you know that the goal is to see if you can keep your joy since apparently procrastination steals joy.

Me, I hope you’re doing well in your job and have been learning to maintain that stability you were after. How are your savings looking and what about your financial management skills? Lisa Nichols was saying making money is different from keeping it and growing it. Something like that but in essence it was that you need different skills for each part. Let me ask you this while we’re talking money, how are your hands? Have you been helping others? When was the last time you did something special for yourself?

Me, do you remember how you wanted to travel a bit? Have you? I know you’ve been putting a few things off because you were thinking it’d be better to go or do them with someone else. True, some trips and other things are more enjoyable with others than solo but please don’t deprive yourself of the chances and opportunities simply out of fear. You are brave, talented, beautiful and loved. Sure you’re different and you do silly things sometimes and shy away from certain opportunities but I know you have a good heart and you do make an effort.

I’m proud of you girl. I’m happy for who you are today as you reflect a bit on your life and who you have become when you next read this. Girl, you’ve known for a while that you’re special and was made for greatness. Lisa Nichols reminded you of that today. You are blessed. God has great plans for your life so stop second guessing yourself. Please remember to forgive yourself for each time you fail to be your true you, engaged in self-sabotage, do something stupid, or simply miss the mark. Remember it’s not so much about what others think of you but more about what you think of you, what God thinks of you. He has great thoughts about you. You’re not a mistake or a surprise to Him. You’re His special little girl.

Continue to pray and seek God and let Him lead you. Baby girl, trust the process. Don’t hide from your purpose. I know I don’t say it a lot because I still have to work on it, but baby girl, I love you, always have and always will. Take care of yourself. Enjoy the adventures of life. Don’t shy away because the road looks scary. Mistakes are fine so long as that’s what they were. Live a little, laugh a lot, learn the lessons, share the blessings, find your you.

Later Chile

Are others passing me by?

person standing on top of rock
Photo by Suliman Sallehi on Pexels.com

When I was younger I would think of what I wanted to be. I never really gotten  it figured out. Well, more accurately, I’ve never been able to narrow it down to any one thing. I’ve wanted to be a flight attendant, firefighter, nurse, work in agriculture or something to do with the environment, teach, and counsel others. One thing has always been true: I’ve always wanted to give back and help others.

I’ve not gotten to be half of the things I’ve wanted but I can put a check mark beside a few. What has not turned into a career has been tried in voluntary service or life experiences. There is still so much that I want to get involved with though. As I think about that, I’m wondering when that will all happen. I’ve seen other people, including some that are younger than me, who are full of life and out there doing things. Social media is filled with examples. For some of them, life seems wonderful and just a dream. Is life passing me by?

If you’ve ever been there and wondered the same thing even just for a second, let me help you. Stop! It’s not helpful for us to compare ourselves with others in that way. We each were born with our own purpose that only we can fulfill. We have our own lanes in life. You cannot be me and I cannot be you. I cannot walk in your shoes no matter how hard I try. You are special just the way you are and if you don’t like you then you can do something about it so you can become the ideal self you’ve envisioned.

So yes, it may look like others are jetting off to volunteer in some beautiful corner of the earth and helping fulfill a need. It may look like others are able to afford the house and the car and a vacation. True. But I don’t know what their lives really are like. I don’t know how they feel about themselves and their accomplishments. I have no idea what their struggles have been or that they are not even looking at my life and thinking it may not be glamorous but it’s definitely stable-looking and peaceful. I’ve worked hard for what I’ve got and made the choices I’ve thought were best. This is my life. What you have is your life. It’s not a race or even dress rehearsal. It’s the real deal. So let’s be thankful for what we have and what we can make it to be. Others are not passing us by. They’re just living their lives.