TMYS - Kel's Letter

I'm very happy to present Kel's TMYS letter today. I like to think Kel and I are "blog" friends LOL, she somehow stumbled onto BuddhaBelle, never linked her blog, and then I found hers through my Feedburner. She's a woman after my heart - a la running, but she's past 5K's now (I'm trying to catch up) and onto a marathon. That's awesome! Visit her over at Cafe Kel and read up on what Kel's been up to!

Dear Me,

As I look back on the younger years, I think of the moments when I was you and I couldn't wait to 'grow up' or 'be free.' It's quite funny really because there are things that if I had only known then I might not have taken them for granted.

Don't be in a Hurry - speeding up the process by jumping over the middle does not increase happiness. There are important steps in the middle that need to be addressed. These are important to understanding, later in life, how the process really works and not just how the process works for us.

Be considerate - I understand it is hard to care about anyone else when it seems no one ever cared about you, but the truth is there were so many who cared, you just never noticed. There were people who have touched your life in ways you cannot repay and eventually the time will come when you do realize it, but it will be too late to say Thank you, these people help bring out the best in you.

Don't give up - It would be easy to say don't let your stubbornness get in the way, but even now we have not mastered that art. Instead my advice to you would be "don't let other people take away or dictate what you have." You will succeed at some things and fail at others but this does not mean you shouldn't ever try. Try things you're not good at, continue doing what you are good at and learn to enjoy the process, you will wish you had later on.

Love - don't be afraid. Love is messy. Love hurts. Love can make you smile from the inside out. People come and people go, some will break your heart and some will teach you how to love fiercely. It was never meant to be easy or fit in a neat little box. It's not just fun and games ... it's about learning to love yourself too, about allowing yourself to be loved, seeing yourself through someone else's eyes and knowing that you can be all of that and more.

Be kind - to yourself. We really are our own worst enemy. We've built up a wall so high that it is hard to tear down once we've realized it's even there. Locking yourself inside will not keep out the bad. We brought that inside with us and all we've done is lock ourselves in with it. Know that the world really is your oyster, possibilities are endless and no man, woman or child should ever stop you from achieving your goals. Life is going to throw you a few curve balls, but you survive them and are better for it. Things you never thought possible will become likely and I promise they are beautiful. Just be kind to yourself, you are better than you imagine.

The most important piece of advice I could give my younger self is to open your heart to possibility and follow it where it leads. It is an amazing journey. There are moments when you're on top of the world and moments when you hit rock bottom, but through it all you learn strength, courage, determination and yes, you find love. You have a fighter's spirit, so go and fight for what you want from this life...don't wait until you become me to do it. When you find what you are looking for, hold on...fight for it each and every day and don't lose sight of what you are fighting for...I promise it is worth it, YOU are worth it!

Always with you
~K