Lauren L.
Photography by Ashley Kung
If you’re reading this, I am so proud of how far you have come and how much further you will go.
I am proud of you for being here today, for that is one of the greatest acts of strength.
Life is hard. No matter your story, we are all guaranteed to struggle and to fail and to fall. Our darkest times and our hardest days will stay with us and be a constant reminder of what we endured and where we came from. I ask you to never, ever be ashamed of this. Never feel guilty or less than for all the experiences that make you the unique, remarkable individual that you are. I ask you to take all that you have faced and wear it like a badge of honor, to never shy away from the monumental steps you have taken to persevere, and to keep moving forward.
Above all this, give yourself grace. Allow yourself to exist in the present. In the times when stormy clouds may loom over you, and it feels harder to see clearly, just remember that you don’t have to have it all figured out right then and there. Be kind to yourself as you would be to any other loved one experiencing the same exact thing. Don’t be afraid to ask for support in the forms you need it most – a listening ear, a grounded mind for guidance, even a sit together in silence. You are loved, whether you realize it or not, and there will always be somebody out there who wants to see you be the best version of yourself. It is okay to pause and lean for a moment before continuing your journey.
I know I may never meet you, dear reader, but I am forever cheering you on. I refuse to believe that your soul, your body, your dreams and all exist at this very moment for no reason. Every single moment in the history of our universe has led up to you being here today. Every atom composing your very being has traveled far and wide, and yet is privileged enough to now be a part of something truly spectacular – you. From the first time you laughed to the tears you have shed to the hands you have held, you have been nothing short of magnificent. There has never been anyone like you, and there never will be ever again.
If you can carry one thing from me with you, let it be hope. Keep hope clutched tightly in your hand and let nobody take it from you. Keep hope in the corners of every room you enter and always see the potential there before you. Keep hope buried like a seed in the deepest depths of your heart, for when it rains, there will soon follow growth and a sprout from this ache that reminds you that life and beautiful things exist beyond it.
I ask you to always have faith in tomorrow and all the possibilities that come with it. You do not have to make the changes you want for yourself in a day (nor is that realistic). The path may not be linear and there may never be an exact “destination,” but simply a goal for improvement. However, above all, you must have hope. Set your heart aflame, and let that hope burn bright for your dreams, your passions, your goals, as well as every person, place, and moment that makes you feel most alive. Never settle for anything less.
Look back at how far you have come, and with hope resting its ardent cheek to yours, look ahead at all that you still have yet to become, to experience, to explore, to taste, see, and touch. In the silence and stillness of this life, think of what beauty and light the universe has shared and still has yet to share with you, and you just might hear it whisper “I love you” back.
Lauren L., University of Florida
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