Imagine, being a teenager again and having the opportunity to hear from your adult self about how life turned out…

In this week’s blog, I share with you an intimate letter I wrote to my 16-year-old self. I wanted to remind myself how far I have come from those scary and dark days.

Even in the moments of greatest despair, there is always something around the next corner and when we look back, we realize, that everything, even the difficult moments, is always working in our favor. I trust you enjoy this post. I hope it inspires you to write to your own 16-year-old self.

Dear 16-year-old self,

Hello, I am your 44-year-old self. I can see you looking at me through your eyes in the mirror.

I know you hate yourself right now. I know you feel this deep despair to end your life. The stress of the last decade of your life has really got to you.

But I thought we could have a chat. I thought I would take you on a vision quest. I am here, to take you into your future. Before you end it, take a look ahead.

The rest of high school will be tough but it will really fly by. When you graduate, you will feel completely lost. Your plan to become a dance choreographer will be crushed by a cruel comment. You were  heartbroken for months.

You adapted and became an Aerobics Instructor (it was the 90’s after all). You loved it and began teaching classes. The next year, you went to University. Not only did you discover your passion for human behavior (psychology), you also met two crucial men in your life.

You fall in love with both of them. One will remain a love of your life and the other you will get engaged to and move to Australia. Unfortunately, that relationship does not last. You remain in Australia and marry another man a couple years later. Although this relationship will later end as well, with this man, you grow into your adult self . You find your true voice and power.

When you turn 27 you are introduced to the greatest love of your life- your own baby girl. Your heart instantly opens and you experience a love you never imagined.  For the first time in your life you feel like you have a strong identity. You are Ashleigh’s mum. Five years later you meet the next love of your life Jason, whose angelic nature opens you even further.

Although your marriage ends, you have a wonderful experience. You have travelled, set up businesses, laughed, fought, felt the pain of abuse and eventually learned how to stand up for yourself and find your own freedom.

In your thirties you move into your passion. You become a life coach and work with amazing clients helping them achieve personal transformations. You are a writer, a speaker and have established a strong connection with your spiritual self.

You later go on to give birth to your third angel named, Jai. He is feisty but full of spirit. Again, your heart opens even more.

You have felt great pain in your life and experienced great loss. You have also experienced blissful magic. You have fallen down many times. Each time you got up and became stronger and wiser. Each experience added to the rich tapestry of your life.

You were surrounded by great wealth and you experienced great poverty. Through the contrast of both worlds, you learned to manifest a life for yourself and trust in the power of the universe. You always land on your feet and you are always looked after.

You develop a courage and curiosity for life. You push yourself to be your best self.  You have become a ‘way-shower’ and strive for true love and spiritual light on earth. 

Your greatest asset has been your sense of humor and your ability to find the positive in any situation.

Oneday, when you reach the age of 44 you will look into your eyes. Although they look tired, you will feel proud of yourself. You have lived a big life full of adventure, challenge and inspiration.

You will be reminded of your buried pain through the eyes of your now 16-year-old daughter. As you look into your baby girls’ eyes, you will feel inspired to share this message with her.

This is a brief moment of your magnificent life. Keep going! Keep focused. Stay open and curious to everything life has to offer you. Even the bad times will be working in your favor. Everything is preparing you for what is to come next.

Stop and breathe. Connect with  your heart. In the centre of your being you will feel your essence. This is your authentic self. Listen to her wise whispers. She will always guide you towards your truth.

This brief moment will pass. The darkest moments will always lead to your greatest growth.

I love you so much and believe in you. Look into your eyes and smile. Embrace your individuality and make the most out of every moment. You are perfect exactly the way you are.

I love you!

Cheryne

Author of The Courage to Be You