A Letter to the Young Ladies

Being in college, in your 20’s or out of your parent’s home is fun, but there’s a lot of other STUFF that comes along with it that isn’t! As I was driving to work one morning I thought about what I would have wanted someone to say to me (or wish I would have listened to from those who actually said it), about the practical parts of life after high school and before the official start of the “grown with a husband, a house, responsibilities, children and a job” world.

A recent trip to a high school basketball tournament where far too many of the young ladies were scantily clad, feisty (not is a good way) and clearly unaware of their inner and outer beauty reinforced the need for me to share this post again.

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So here’s what I would have said to the tall, scrawny teenage girl who helped me become the woman I am today through trial and a lot of error. Here’s what I would also say to any young lady making her way through this often crazy thing called life.

Love who you are. You can’t expect love from others if you don’t extend it to yourself.
The tears you cry today will either make sense or make you stronger.
Save some money. Get an education. Learn to cook. Learn how to change a tire.
Shopping on a budget is beautiful.
Pace yourself with food. One day the pounds can catch up with you.
There’s a good chance that the love of your life right now won’t be the love of your life forever…and that’s okay.
Learn from each association. Always do a self-check and continually prepare yourself for who and what God desires for you.
Demand that a young man is nothing less than his best. Settling is for pilgrims. He should pursue you, respect you and help bring out the best in you, point blank, period.
It’s never too late to ask for help. It’s better to ask and receive than need and not get.
Your friends today can be your friends for a lifetime…good or bad. Choose wisely.
You’re worth WAY more than you know. One day you’ll know it and want to make sure your life shows it.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to grow and know people who aren’t like you, but can teach you a thing or two.
Some of the best friendships will be born when bad relationships die.
One day, through age, illness, and plain old life you may not be as cute as you are today. Always make sure character, class and couth remain in tact.
Keep your clothes on please.
Never be afraid of being unique. If you don’t speak like, think like, act like, or look like everyone else consider that an honor.
People will never forget what you do, one way or the other. Make sure what they remember is a true, good reflection of who you are.
Don’t gossip, be a bully, be messy, negative or angry all the time,
Smile often and laugh even more.
Never lose sight of your own purpose and dreams. You were born for a specific reason.