What I Know Now...

(At age 12)

Dear Lydia,

  I know things haven't been easy up to this point...you've been teased, mocked, taken advantage of, loved, and cared about all at the same time.  Such a mix in actions can be confusing, and I know it's not easy.  Stay true to yourself, and learn that you're beautiful and you will see that others will soon be recognizing this same thing to be true.  Little do you know, you don't let any of the negative comments hurt you, rather, you use them as fuel to your fire to make you better- which ultimately will place you on a much larger pedestal in life than you can't even imagine right now. 
  
High school is going to be a tough time for you personally, with finding yourself and what you're passionate about...but don't lose haste, you're still learning things that will make you stronger.  
  You're love for soccer is going to be challenged, but you'll bounce back from it in later years that will fulfill you more than you can imagine by giving back to young ladies who started the same way you did.  You find ways to overcome, and you always find joy in alternate ways of doing things you love.  The years following as you begin your college career are going to be difficult too, but don't lose faith when that happens.  You will be accused of things, talked about, and find yourself at a point of depression that you haven't felt before....but again, don't lose faith, Lydia!  Your relationship with your Lord and Savior will be strengthened more at this point in your life, as you learn to lean on Him more, and trust in Him with your life's path.  Little do you know, these feelings only last for a short period of time, and you recover nicely as you continue on throughout your college career, becoming a Dean's List graduate and a proud (dual sport) NCAA athlete.
  
After college, you're going to experience another season in life that will teach you endurance (on a different level than sports) and discipline.  You're going to want to give up, and be stuck on the mentality that you should be doing something different with your life than what you're doing.  Don't lose faith!  Keep those you can trust close, and don't be afraid to lean on them.  They won't always agree with you and tell you "yes", but what's important is that they will always be honest.  Be prepared for their honest answers, and learn not to take things personally.  This is what's going to be crucial in your coming years as a woman, and as a woman who is going to make some major life changes that she's never imagined possible for herself.

Lydia, you're truly on a path to greatness and I'm excited for what you're going to experience.  There are things that are coming to you, that not only you have probably never imagined- but that others haven't imagined either.  Stay true to yourself, despite what words are mumbled about you out the mouth's of others, and know you're destined for your dream.  Although things won't come as "on time" as you hope, you've been built for moments like this through all you have endured up until now, and because of that you will be able to endure and embrace this humbly, and be patient.  Lean on the Lord, Lydia, and you will see even more that you "can do all things through Christ who strengthens [you]!" Love yourself, love others, and don't worry about anything other than the truth from your own heart.

I love you, and know that you're not only great now- but that you're destined for more greatness!

Stay Strong & True,
Your Future Self


Motivated by the book "What I know Now" by Ellyn Spragins...a GREAT book, and definitely recommended to my fellow women!  There's also a book that follows "What I Know Now About Success" which is also GREAT!  Take the time to do this exercise, and I think that you will find some inner motivation that you never thought you had!!!

"The path to everlasting joy is not easy, but nothing worth having is ever easy to attain!"

-LM