Subtle Approach To My New Years Resolution- 2021

A Letter To My Future Self

By teisha lesheaPublished 3 years ago • 5 min read

GIPHY

Dear Teisha LeShea,

I hope you are spending the third day of January, well. I won't waste your time reflecting on what 2020 brought. I want to use this blank white canvas to paint a picture of what's to come in 2021. Your vision isn't quite 2020; hence you wear glasses, but you've always dreamed about the possibilities. You've always been a maladaptive daydreamer allowing your gift of empathy to think, feel, taste, and hear the future. Many will call it psychotic I call it having a utopian experience that keeps you centered. This form of meditation has been crystal clear in your life that you could envision it without glasses. If I haven't told you, I wanted to reiterate that I'm so proud of your strength. I can see yourself blossoming into the rose I knew you would become. Reading about your life on paper, you are a representative of a rose that grew from concrete.

Your voice is like thunder; when it roars, people stop and listen. You are a leader by nature and have a following that will inspire a nation. Being unapologetic in your writings has inspired others to follow you. Cheers to telling your story. With life comes challenges. These are challenges I know you can achieve. For those dreams to come to fruition, I will need you to follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Expect nothing from 2021

That will open the doors to an overabundance of possibilities. Having high expectations is a gateway to heartache. It creates a hot ball of anger that can be spewed negatively towards yourself and others. Release yourself from any anxieties and non-existent deadlines. Don't expect loud cheers from those you believe need to cheer you on the most. Remain steadfast on your vision. Once you've mastered keeping your expectations on a low vibration, you will see the outside more; clearly, the clouds would suddenly depart to have the sunshine bright on your future.

Step 2: Call Your Grandmother More

Grandparents worldwide faced an unfamiliar feeling of isolation and loneliness from singing "Happy Birthday" to themselves over zoom to speaking to children and grandchildren with glass in-between them. Prisoners in their own homes, walking through each room in silence. The thought of Sunday dinners, celebrations, and routine visits from loved ones stopped within the blink of an eye. I challenge you to reach out to the only grandparent you have alive. To shower her with love and acknowledgment that your love for her will go unnoticed. Her collection of the gifts you bought can no longer fit into a shoebox. Add to her collection by sending her cards and letters that will cheer her up. Let her respond to your notes so you can start your shoebox collection of her words of wisdom. That small act of kindness will create a bond that a pen and paper will understand.

Step 3: Show Gratitude For The Simple Things

Why wait until Thanksgiving to give thanks when you can give thanks every day in less than three minutes. Give thanks to your heart for pumping blood to your veins or showing gratitude for opening your eyes this morning. The trees that breathe life into your lungs, the feeling of the cold crisp air brushing against your skin on a chilly summer's night. The ability to taste your favorite Starbucks coffee or your mother's famous soul food feast or smell your favorite lavender-scented soaps and lotions.

Step 4: Get Up. Stand Up. Don't Give Of The Fight.

Remember how I mentioned you using your voice? I know how passionate you are about racial biases in healthcare. You've talked about and written pieces on dealing with chronic pain and how much of a fight you have to endure to get the fair treatment you deserve. The 21st Century has created avenues to showcase your feelings. Social media has become a tool to reach millions to spread awareness on this very issue. My hope for you is to join an organization, donate your time and money to an organization that speaks to you the loudest. You can't afford to censor yourself on this topic. Use your pen, paper, and laptop to voice your concerns. Be a voice for the voiceless. Black women have become the backbone of this country. If you don't believe me, the last election speaks for itself. Be the change.

Step 5: Be Love. It Will Find You

What is love? It's a question many of us want the answers to but search to find. You will never know the true meaning of love until you grab that pitcher and pour the love inside your cup. It's time to start loving your imperfections, stretch marks, and cellulite. It's time to finally look in the mirror and admire the woman staring back at you. To be gracious to your skin with spa days, creams, and lotions. To focus on how well you're protecting your temple with fresh fruits and vegetables—practicing controlling your breath and meditating. Stretch every limb of your body to have the posture of a ballet dancer. Start and end your days with daily affirmations. Break out your old journal and document your pain, sorrow, joy, and happiness. Before you know it, your person will glide through the door who will love every part of you as much as you love every part of you. He will accept, embrace, support, and love you, unconditionally.

2021 isn't about a to-do list. This year is about building character and leaving your mark on the world. It's living life by your own rules and enjoying every minute. If 2020 has taught us anything, it has led us to be human, kind, and understand one's struggles. Let's bring simple communication back into the new year. Let's call each other more, express our love, paying it forward, and giving each other our time. We can no longer go through the motions of life. We must stop, reflect, and push forward.