A letter to my younger self: A reposting

My sister from a parallel universe asked me to pen a missive to my 18-year-old stubborn self.  While I obliged, I shied away from posting it on my own blog as some of the people I mentioned might read it and be offended.  Then I realized, and so what?  These are my thoughts, these are my experiences.  If the aforementioned people get offended, then, that's not really my problem. Still, a shout out: apologies if I somehow step on your toes, but you should've been effing nicer at that time. *wink*

So here you go.  For the first time, a Letter to Lisane.

Hello, little lady.

This is your future self. I need you to listen to me: whatever you’re going through right now, in five years’ time, it won’t matter. You’ll be a strong, successful woman with a wonderful man by your side and a circle of friends that will test your patience and strengthen your character. But before you get there, you need to go through the pain.

First, I’ll tell you about love.

That man you’ll meet in the football field, the one who’ll bandage your foot–love him, but not too much. He will break your heart and destroy your world–but you will be alright.

That other man you’ll meet in the field — with the dreads and kind eyes — don’t push it. He’s a coward who offers you material things instead of the things you really need. When you break up with him for the third time, let go. I’m telling you, he only seems special because you want him to be so.

You’ll meet other boys, date, and explore. Whatever you do, don’t date that guy you’ll go to a hiking trip with. Five years later your guilt of how you treated him will still haunt you.

Second, write. Follow your passion. Play football, disobey your mom, scale the walls, injure your knees. But most importantly, write. Don’t worry about befriending your blockmates — they will never get you. Be a leader, and look for answers. Above all, be ready. You’ll take a shortcut and will fall into a lake. Literally.

You’ll get a job before you graduate, enjoy it. A month later you’ll get a better one. That’s right, fight for your people. Pull the man’s curls and show him that you can’t be pushed around. Take a rest, slow down. You’re already ahead of the rat race, stop running so fast.

I’ll tell you to save, but that would be futile.

Baby girl, the future is hard. You’ll be plagued with problems that range from mundane to gut-wrenching. You’ll witness favoritism, corruption, and lose respect for somebody. But hang in there, things will get better.

Throughout your life you’ll struggle. But I trust you. Five years have passed and I can still look back with no regrets. You’ll do a fine job of growing up. You’ll make mistakes, but will learn from them. And everything that will happen to you has a reason — I know that now.

Be more vocal about your affections.  Tell your parents that you love them, hug your big brother.   Right now you might think that they don't understand, but they do, and they will always be there for you. 

Last, be open to opportunities. You will say yes in a way that you never thought would positively change your life.

The only thing I wish you did then, and what I’m telling you to do now: go buy trolls. Five years later, you’ll wish you didn’t throw them away.

Now chin up, and grab a book.  Your eyesight might and will fail you, but the different worlds you'll visit will create lasting impressions.