#DearME: In Honour of International Women's Day

In honour of International Women's Day, I decided to join the YouTube Global #DearMe Initiative.


A letter to young Shanny

#DearMe,

I know you are at a stage where you are really confused and trying to find yourself. You will choose the unconventional path because you are too scared to disappoint yourself & your family...this decision will lead to you discovering who you really are.

You have a goal and you are going to stick to it. You are strong & proud & even though you long to be the pretty girl.... you will realize the value of being the smart girl.

You will have crushes on the most ridiculous boys but you won't dare to act on it. Which at the end of the day wasn't such a bad idea.

You will learn that you are a natural born leader with many bright ideas. Embrace them & take that spirit of service with you. It will define you as a person.

Opposition will come but you will take the high road.

You learn to love EVERYONE despite their colour, class, sexual orientation or religion. You will realize that you are a world citizen who in your mid-20's will suffer a bit of Wanderlust which you plan to spend your 30's curing.

Your biggest flaw will always be your temper....it will simmer but even as you embark on your 30's it will still linger ESPECIALLY when you take public transportation...lol

You will lose 3 of the most important people in your life & this will force you to grow up fast!

You will be lucky to still have your family & it will grow at a time when you least expected it.

You will fall in love with the most amazing boy ever, who unfortunately, will not know how much you love him because of your own self centred ways. You will also still love him many years after your relationship has ended & he will become a dear friend.

You will ALWAYS be a strong lioness who even without a lion, still has the strength to survive the concrete jungle of life.

You will be blessed beyond your own understanding & even though you won't figure it all out by 30 or have the Husband & Family you wanted at 25... you will still be happy & continue to trust God to provide your perfect match.

Finally & most importantly, you will learn that once you love yourself & others the way you love yourself, you will find that life's challenges won't seem so bad.

Keep Your Head up young lioness...

An older & hopefully wiser