A Case For Hope

Dear Me,

I know that even the thought of making plans scares you now. The eyes that were full of dreams and hopes are too scared to do that now. All the dreams and hopes of great 2020 were crushed by the time March came around. Hopelessness gripped you and has not left you since.

And because of this, when 1st January of 2021 came, you did not make any plans, not even any stupid resolutions. Because you did not want to experience that pain again. You refuse to be consistent because the possibility of reaching your goal is out of your vision right now. No matter how hopeful you tried to be, the dark clouds of hopelessness have gripped you.

Just like everyone, you want to make 2021 your year but are afraid of empty promises. The darkness of your present condition seems more comfortable than taking steps towards a brighter future.

But this new year's, let's make a small promise. Promise me that each day, you will live by your values. Each day, you will take actions that are in line with your values. Let's embody the attitude of perseverance, focus and most importantly, gratitude.

Let's be grateful for the heart that beats every day, giving us the gift of life. Let's be gratified for the family that is always there to support you. Let's value those little things that you have been ignoring. This year, let's be grateful today. Not when you have reached that dream college, not when you have lost weight. Let's value today.

Once you embody gratitude in each cell of your body, happiness will never leave your side. The appreciativeness and pride expressed for each step taken in the right direction will make the journey more rewarding than the destination.

The above words are nothing short of being an intellectual treasure. Blend them with yourself and watch the magic happen. Watch yourself go to TU Delft to study. Watch yourself be confidently able to flaunt your body. Watch yourself establish a successful blog on Vocal. Watch yourself have that income and career that you dreamed of.

But, most importantly, watch yourself become the individual that you have always dreamed of being.

Furthermore, there is a small instance of last year that I wish to remind you about. Do you remember your sister's birthday? How you kept your promise of birthday fun despite you being tired. You made the spaghetti and the popcorn. You arranged to have a Disney movie marathon all night. You even managed to bake a cake for her. Where did the strength to do all this come from? It was your love for her which allowed you to continue even when you moped over college rejections.

Why cannot you love yourself like that?

If you love yourself enough, you will endure anything life throws at you.

Because love forms the inception of strength.

Just like you never give up on the ones you love, you will never give up on yourself. Self-love has been missing from your to-do list for a very long time. It is time to add it there.

Meanwhile, the external world has not changed since 2020 ended. Even though there are some rare glimmers of hope, despair is still around you. The complete truth lies in the fact that the world could get worse and that everything you hoped will not happen. 2021 could be worse than in 2020.

Nonetheless, when circumstances do not favor you choose to be like the river: persistent yet open to change its course when the situation demands it. The river ultimately reaches the sea even though it changes its course multiple times. Together with the river, you will also arrive at your destination. No matter what happens, you will persist.

With love,

Your Future Self