Inspire Yourself: A Birthday Message to Myself

Dear Self,

Today you turn 26. Can you believe it?

As a child you thought that number sounded ancient. You figured by this age you’d be a mom, already owning a home and a mini van. You didn't realize that you wouldn't FEEL 26. You didn't know you’d still think the 1990′s happened 10 years ago nor did you believe that time really does speed up as you age.

What a year the last one has been. Major things have been going on, BIG life lessons have been learnt. New dreams, dreads, worries and plans have been realized. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for everything you have done, been and ever will be. You were the year that changed my life, and I know that it can only improve and get better with age.

 I learned a lot about myself during this year. I learned that I am brave enough to start anything. I learned the value of commitment, and I learned a lot about communication and love. I learned that I am much braver than I think I am. You are stronger now than you have ever been.

 I learned that with a little support and a lot of love from friends and family, you can get anywhere. AND I learned that even without the support and the love, manifesting a positive attitude and putting dreams into actions will help you achieve any dream. Life is all about God, family and dreams at the moment. Getting older is fun when it is done with awesome people.

This New Year you will surprise yourself. In the next few years as you creep toward the milestone of late-twenties, you will think and feel and do things that right now you are unwaveringly convinced you will not. You’ll tell everyone you would never cut your hair again and then one scorching hot summer day, you’ll find yourself in a hair salon getting it chopped off again and again.

Right now, you are so sure of yourself in the same way a tiny toddler is sure they can reach the cookie jar. Boisterous and confident. You know yourself. But, so many of the elements of yourself that you’re omniscient about will only become transient. But, as you depart the University microcosm and build a life without a preset path, you’ll learn the hardness is not your core.  You’ll realize that you are fragile and sensitive and emotional. You’ll cry listening to “Home” one afternoon on the radio and you’ll sob another day when you get home from work and read about someone being carried out of his apartment on a stretcher.

You’ll realize you are fun-loving and relaxed. You’ll be really flattered when your coworkers compliment you on your laugh. You’ll grow to love that laugh and how it fills up the room. You’ll realize you are not conflicted and confused. You’ll learn how hard it is to walk away from people, even those who wrong you or rope you into the knots of their life. Right now, you think people who can’t unyieldingly walk away are dumb and lost and insecure. But, you’ll realize they are just people and you will be one of them. So, do not remain so convinced of so many things. Surprise yourself, Inspire yourself. It will be much more fun that way.

What I want you to remember is that: you deserve this. Every single good thing? You are worthy of it. You’ve worked so hard to get to this place. You still work every day on yourself and on your relationship.

You are always working to better yourself. You’re relentless like that.

Today, on your 26th birthday, you’re giving up body hatred and self-loathing and the not-feeling-good-enough because you are not thin…lol. You’re not going to berate yourself into submission. You’re not going to starve yourself or eat your feelings or wallow in guilt and shame.

You’re going to BE NICE TO YOUR BODY because it will keep you around for a long time and you have a lot of living to do, so much to look forward to.

I know there will be days that you will screw up but just remember that in this life where time is fleeting, there is so much more to give your energy and attention to. You deserve to be happy, to be free from this negativity, to put all that freed up mind space to better use.

Love God, Love Life, Love People!!

Bring it on 26! Let’s see what you have to offer, what obstacles I need to remove or encounter, what positive, blessed and amazing events can happen and where I will end up next. I am so excited to be with you on this journey.

 Happy birthday, beautiful. Go live out loud.

Forever & always,

Me