Dear 18 year old me...

Dear Naomi

Yesterday you turned 18, it’s a milestone Happy Birthday.
I write this letter with great excitement and with the confidence that I have so much to share with you that will allow you to understand what to make of your life and may be help you make better choices.

The first thing is do not live under the illusion that life is a bed of roses. It is not. Your life is your responsibility, not mummy’s or daddy’s. Understand that it’s only you who can make yourself happy no person alive can. Even in the bed of roses, there are thorns which may prick you. Always remember that even in the thorny hard times, God is beside you and He loves you beyond human understanding. So, even when you are scared, weary, lonely, sad or happy remember He is beside you.

The second thing to know is that hard work pays. Do not feel you need to cheat, lie or steal to make yourself progress in your job or even in life. It is important to work hard at all levels in life. Work hard in school, work hard in your job and work hard at home. It’s not always easy but patience pays. Believe in the plan that God has for your life, work hard and you will see the returns. As you work hard be pleasant to people but perform beyond their expectation. Try and stand out from the regular people because you are amazing and your abilities are exemplary.

Thirdly, do not compromise your morals for the sake of half a minute of pleasure with any man. When it comes to men a couple of things I need to mention. If a man truly loves you and would like to date you, he will go out of his way to express this to you. Do not compromise on the kind of man that you want just because you are desperate. There are many men out there so take your time. Many will want to use you, hurt you, abuse you and very few will want to offer the best life to you. Wait out for one of the few he will be worth a million of the many. This decision will require patience and endurance, it will be challenging and you will get criticism and pressure from friends and family but handle it with decorum. Remember to look out for the true character traits which will show you what caliber of a person he truly his. Don’t date men solely based on their looks. Sex is not worth all the hype out there, don’t be lied to. Do it with someone who cares about you and that you care about. It will mean much more in the long term. Men can be difficult sometimes but you will get the right one at the right time so do not give up.

Fourthly, it doesn’t matter what people say about you. Some times you may think you have many friends just because they surround you and you spend a lot of time with them. In life, one learns the hard way that not everyone is your friend. Don’t make someone a priority in your life if you are a mere option in theirs. It’s unacceptable because you are sensational. It doesn’t matter if people don’t like you, there will always be talk.
Lastly, ‘No’ is a complete sentence and don’t be afraid to use it. Life is tough, challenging and fun depending on how you take it. People may try to walk all over you. If you feel someone is demanding more than you are supposed to give to them do not be afraid to speak up and say ‘No’ to them. Do it with confidence and do not fear.

As I end my letter, I need to let you know that it is important to be spiritual and prayerful. God is there, He loves you, He knows you and He knows the decisions you make even before you make them. He will always provide a way to get you out of a tough situation but you need to pay attention and obey. Respect your elders, love your children and never stop smiling. Oh one last thing, share your time, your smile and your love even to strangers.

With all my love.