To learn a lesson we usually have to live through the experience. Our parents and teachers will sound like a broken record repeating a truth we’d do well to live by. For some reason it takes living through the roller coaster to truly grasp what they were trying to tell us all along! Imagine for a moment you’d read a letter when you were younger written by an empowering individual you respected. Would it change the choices you had made from those “naive” years to now?
I’d like to think it would have for me, and this lady right here lives every day to inspire, encourage, and empower the people around her. Naomi is overflowing with wisdom and love to share with the world. I hope her “Letter to Younger Me” will motivate you. What’s cool is that any age will be that “naive, younger you” one day in the future! You get today to choose intentionally how you will love and live fully!
“Dear younger self,
Gosh.. there is so much I could say to you, but I’ll give it a shot. I need you to remember every day you are alive and every breathe you take there is a reason. God has you here for a reason. The fact that you are nervous is because the dreams and plans you have are bigger than what you are a part of presently and what is around you. So, I just want to let you know… I am proud of you, God’s got you, and don’t stop.
I know a lot of people (even and especially those closest to you and your surroundings) want you to become a part of the picture they have in THEIR mind… don’t listen. Let them think and say what they want; this is YOUR life. You are not them and you have all their examples of what not to do. Don’t let people’s fears become your own, because the fact that you have those aspirations just proves how brave you are.
At the end of the day when you lay your head on the pillow and at the end of your life you don’t want to be haunted by the ghosts of “what if.” Each person is uniquely created. When you stand before your Creator you want to humbly and honestly say, “I used all You gave me.” Not everyone has the same goals, so don’t be worried there won’t be room at the table. God has blessed you with those ambitions, purpose, and gifts so trust that He will provide in all and every way. “He doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” I know it’s easy to see people and think “they’re better” or “have what it takes”, but that means nothing in God’s eyes.
Work hard and do your best at all the things you are a part of, but understand there’s a difference between productivity and being busy. Never forget that there is NOTHING you can do to deserve His grace or the blessings He wants to give you. You don’t control the breaths you take, days you wake up, or the way your life will go. Prayer, accountability, and remain humble. No amount of money, power, or prestige will separate you from the “poor man” on the street when push comes to shove and certainly not in His eyes. God is the only thing and way you will survive and flourish in life.
Take chances, try new things even if it doesn’t seem like it will “get you where you want”; you never know the lesson to be taught in that place. With taking chances comes trial and error; it’s inevitable. Never think just because this “didn’t work” doesn’t mean it won’t in the future or that you did something wrong. Everything happens for a reason and TRUST THAT GOD IS MOVING SOMEWAY SOMEHOW. Don’t remain stagnant or in the same places for too long, especially while you are young. Go experience, witness, be a part of, and live your life, my love! When you see life through faith, love, and hope, you will learn life is about learning lessons not failures. We never get it 100% right, even the people you look up to and admire. It’s all a learning process, but I know you’ve got this. Goals, plan, pray, action. Prayers up, head down.”
Preach it, Naomi!! Keep on, Queen, you’re killing it! I’m so proud of you, and I’m humbled to be on this journey with you.
stay lovely,
the tall girl
the tall girl tells all 