Letter To A Younger Version of Myself

Dear Kehinde,

Though you did not have all that would have made childhood fun, thanks for staying true to those counsels from your parent. Thanks for persevering in the face of obstacles many faced and called it quit.

However, your late decision to break out of your shell did not let you broaden your world-view quite early, else, you would have had a more eventful transition into adulthood. Being reclusive helped you shut out 'unserious' friends and save precious time, but you were too careful in your relationships. It is a wise saying to remain unspotted by the 'world', but do not make an opinion of people until you get close to them.

Living at a considerable distance from most of your peers in school was enough hindrance to your social life, withdrawing into the protective walls of your home rather reduced your friends from whom you would have learnt a great deal. You did not visit neither were you visited. Privacy is essential but must not be overboard so you can safely cohabit with other people in future.

Thanks to the housing system at college that made the choice of roommates independent of your decision. That made you exposed to the old and young, rich and poor, the lazy and the zealous, and of course, you grappled with their idiosyncrasies. This you would have been exposed to much earlier had you made a habit of reaching out to others without holding on to that inferiority complex. You really were too careful people would make an opinion of you. Now, throw yourself out, let people realize who you are and make the best out of every relationship. Get close before you determine whether to hold on to people or not.

I must applaud your penchant for academic excellence, just that your focused attention on academic books stole your heart away from pleasure-reading from which you would had a richer vocabulary base, explored the world of renown writers of excellent page turners and quickly discover your writing skills. You waited until you turned 23 before you read Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist!

Writing is an art which is supposed to chronicle your experiences and the lessons learnt from the same. You did not have to wait till essays were handed out as assignments in English Language courses or you had a major exam that required you to write under timed conditions before you put your pen to paper.

Your daily experiences if documented in writing were enough to inspire millions who might have read them. You would have boost your confidence in writing, use of words and opened your works to constructive criticisms.

Kehinde, It is unbelievable you still can not ride a bicycle, neither can you swim. You were too scared to try new challanges.
The only sport you chose to participate in during inter-house sports was the match-past, how ludicrous! Study helps keep the brain stimulated, but exercise does keep the body in good shape. For the sake of your body, do some sports!

Above all, never let your background put your back to the ground, the future holds much more for you. Work in silence and let success announce you to the world.