If you could go back in time and tell yourself something important for the future, what would it be? Hindsight is 20/20, so they say – so every issue, Pride gives a reader the opportunity to share the pearls of wisdom they’d pass on to their younger self if they could. This month, talk show host Monikah Lee gives her younger self some vital steps for making the most of her early, carefree years.
Monikah,
I could have started my letter off with ‘If only’, ‘I wish’, ‘Maybe if’, or ‘It could all be so simple’ (and yes, I did quote that last one from Lauryn Hill) – but I’d be deceiving you into thinking your life would have been very different, and you wouldn’t be this strong, courageous, God-fearing and intelligent woman that you are at present. I’m gonna give you four steps – I’ll call it guidance, because there isn’t any hard rulebook to understanding life. Life is what you make it and without living it you cannot learn how to do, or be better.
1: Black is Beautiful. If I could turn back the hands of time I would want you to understand that self-love and self-belief will help you overcome life’s many obstacles. I would have wanted you to learn this lesson earlier in life so you wouldn’t have questioned your beauty, character, or even the colour of your skin. At this point in your life, you ‘see no colour’, but colour is everything when you grow up in a community in which colourism thrives and subtle discrimination is present within our institutions. I need you to understand your worth, babygirl; this will help you to distinguish who is for you and who is against you. Once you master your worth, nobody can stop you from excelling into pure excellence.
2: Your tongue is one of your body’s most powerful tools; do not underestimate its power. Speak amazing and positive words into your life. Do not be scared to speak your truth, the harsh reality of life is that not everyone is going to like or agree with your position or stance in life. Do not allow this to discourage you. Let me break it down for you: do NOT change yourself in order to receive love or acceptance from temporary situations.
3: Don’t rush to be an adult. I know right now you are craving INDEPENDENCE. You cannot wait to leave secondary school so that you can wear your own clothes, wear hoop earrings, wear make-up, and start earning money. But if only you understood how trivial these things are, you would not be so impatient. You have been sheltered and protected from all the atrocities this world has to offer: I know it hasn’t hit you yet, but Miss Monikah Lee, please enjoy your youth. Live your best life, enjoy watching those Odeon films for £3.99, and buying Freddo at 20p. Don’t take your innocence for granted because once you understand the shift of life, you’ll change forever.
4: Remember AGAPE love. Learn to love unconditionally, even when that four letter word seemsimpossible to comprehend. Love comes in many forms but I don’t want you to focus on the romantic relationship type of love, as much as your peers are right now. I want you fall in love with yourself, your dreams, your purpose.
Can I tell you a secret? Ten years from now, you will have matured into a fearless, positive and beautiful young woman who just oozes greatness and spreads love to every and anyone you meet. People absolutely adore your work ethic and your consistency. You even have your own talk show called ‘Talks With Monikah Lee’, where you’re centred on creating a safe space for young people to be educated, motivated and inspired to make a change. Yasss girl – you did that!
Love, Monikah.
Young Monikah
Monikah Lee hosts regular live shows with exciting and engaging panel discussions for political and social issues that affect young people. Her next panel show is on Sunday 7th October, featuring Chanté Joseph, Zeze Millz and Mete Coban. For more information, follow her on social media: @MonikahLee, as well as the hashtag: #TWML
