Hello Friends,
Can you believe it’s August already? That means Christmas is just around the corner, so close you can count the months on one hand! It’s hard to wrap my head around how quickly this year is flying by; it seems like each year speeds up more than the last… help!
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s still summer, after all, proof being that I actually got sunburnt! Does that mean it’s been a good summer? Well, it’s certainly better than last year’s, at the very least.
I have a bit of news to share: this will be my last blog post for a while. I can almost hear the collective, “Wait, what? Are you stopping this too? Goodness, you really are deciding to slow down!” Well, I hear you, but no, that’s not the case. In fact, slowing down is the last thing I’m about to do.
I’m not stepping away from this blog to relieve stress or anything like that, I absolutely love writing this blog for Rafiki Thabo and I look forward to it every month. I am still a Rafiki Thabo Advocate and very proud to be so. The reason for my break is because, after a lot of planning and saving, I finally have the incredible opportunity to fulfil a lifelong dream of mine…to travel.
So, in this final post before my hiatus, I want to talk about dreams. As I was drafting this, I found myself going back and forth on how best to inspire others to keep chasing their dreams. Then, almost by accident, I wrote a letter to my younger self, reflecting on what I’d say to ease the anxiety and worry that often accompanied this dream of mine.
I’m very aware of how privileged I am to be here today, writing about the fact that I’m able to go travelling but there is one thing, in particular, that I’m most grateful for, a key factor in making this dream a reality and giving me the privilege to be here today.
I’ll let you read my letter to discover what that is, and I hope you find something in it that resonates with you…so, for now my friends, it is farewell, or maybe it should be bon voyage! I look forward to sharing my reflections on what I am about to learn about myself, about the world, and about my lovely husband, who is coming too (imagine if I left him behind ha!). I hope that when we return to the UK you will all still be as excited as I am to resume our monthly reflections with #AMomentWithMaryAnn. It would mean a lot to me to be able to share what I learn about the complexities of this beautiful planet that is ours upon my return, thank you for your support thus far, this is only the beginning!
So without any further delay…
Dear Younger Me,
You have so many dreams, don’t you? I want you to know that, even though you can’t see it now, those dreams do come true. I know it feels tempting to give up, especially when every step forward feels like a struggle. But here’s the thing: as you grow older, you’ll realise that anything truly worth having takes time and effort. The things that seem hardest to achieve are often the ones most worth pursuing. So, don’t give up on the things you love. Keep pushing forward, even when it feels like progress is slow. Quick and easy rewards might seem appealing, but they often don’t last. The real treasures in life come from the perseverance you show in the face of challenges.
I also want to remind you to see the good in yourself and to nurture your talents. Sometimes, in your quest to achieve more, you forget to be kind to yourself. This can cause you to stumble, but it’s important to get back up and keep going. Don’t forget to cherish the people in your life and the community that supports you. Yes, you’ll make mistakes and even burn some bridges along the way, but life is full of ups and downs. You’ll learn to build better, stronger bridges with time.
Right now, you might be doubting your academic abilities because school feels hard. Maybe you’re even thinking about giving up on your education altogether. But what if I told you that the hard work you put in now will ripple through every part of your life? That dedication will help you become one of the most determined and resilient people you know. It’s one of the reasons your dreams do come true.
Now, this might sound crazy, but your parents are giving you advice about your university degree, and they believe that if you focus on your education, your dreams will definitely come true. I know you might be thinking, “But my dreams are so different from what university can give me. I don’t need education! I just want to travel!” Well, younger me, this is where everything changes. I didn’t see it coming either, but education turns out to be the key to unlocking every dream you’ve ever had. It opens doors you never imagined, introduces you to incredible people, and changes the way you see and engage with the world.
You’ve always dreamed of travelling the world, of escaping what you felt was an unfair and unjust world. But by embracing your education, you’ll build a life you’re proud of, a life you won’t want to run away from. Your education will give you values and principles that will help you make a real difference in the world. And when you finally do travel, it will be with a sense of purpose and fulfilment, not as an escape, but as an opportunity to learn and share your knowledge with others.
So, my dear younger self, take the building process seriously. You have the potential to create something truly beautiful, but it requires the right foundation. The life we’ve built is one worth living, and it’s all thanks to the education we pursued. At some point, you’ll have the chance to work for a charity focused on education. When that opportunity comes, don’t miss the chance to work with Rafiki Thabo.They make so many children’s dreams come true, just like your’s did and hopefully the more their work spreads the more lives will be changed, because it becomes very clear to you as you navigate through your life that without your education you wouldn’t be where you are today.
With love and gratitude,
