Mzansi’s 100 of 2017: Healer, Kirtanya Lutchminarayan pens an open letter to her 18-Year-Old self:

“Another year around the sun, another day to be grateful for and another opportunity to share my thoughts with the world. This is not just for young Kirtanya Lutchminarayan, but for everyone.

(AP Photo/Michael Probst)

 

There is one thing we all have in common, which is this journey of life. Nobody has really given us a recipe for it, but here are some ingredients to add to the mix, toward a ‘fool-proof’ and joyful journey:

Courage

Develop the courage to walk alone. Get your energy from you, instead of relying on external sources, that have a shelf-life.

Courage

…of yourself. Believe in you. Love yourself. Nobody has it all. There is no limit to your own potential. Accept others, you can’t always change people, but you can choose how you respond to them.

Embrace

the good and bad. This means realising that the good times and the bad times are temporary and fleeting. This too shall pass. It’s going to be ok.

Do You

Don’t let others’ opinions sink too deep. People will have something to say no matter how noble or not your actions and beliefs are. You can’t please everyone, so rather not live your life trying. Develop your own mind, be who you were before the world told you who to be.

Question

Redefine what society has told you. Re-create new norms, break barriers and perceptions, decondition your thinking and always ask ‘why’ and is this helpful or harmful?

Network

Meet people from all walks of life and from different backgrounds and skill sets. Follow what makes your heart sing and talk about it. People will always remember you, and you will attract your tribe.

Seek

knowledge that uncovers your own power, and teaches you how to access it.

Detach

Just do what you gotta do. It’s a tough one, but try to detach from the result. Expectation reduces joy, and acting for gain does not lead to lasting happiness.

Mindset

Abundance is a mindset. Keep focused on what you love, enjoy and want, you can attract it.

Gratitude

is a key to unlocking grace in your life.

Be an active citizen

Rather than be passive occupants, be an active participant in the world.

Source: Supplied

 

Good company

Surround yourself with positive inspiring people.

Worry less

Worry is a total waste of time, it steals your joy and keeps you busy doing nothing!

Lastly, remember that no act is too big or too small, everything you do and say has a role to play, like spokes in the wheel of life.

As you go about your days, don’t save anything for a special occasion, being alive is a special occasion! A loving heart, wise mind and faith will get you far.

Let every place be better because you were there, let every person feel better because you were there. Most importantly, go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you have imagined.”

Sincerely,

Kirtanya Lutchminarayan


Source: TYI

[Lutchminarayan is the secretary-general of Green Shift Africa, an NGO which addresses issues of climate change, food, water and energy security on the African continent. She holds an Honours degree in Terrestrial Biology from the University of Cape Town.

She is also presently awaiting feedback on her Master’s thesis, which deals with kelp and climate change. When she’s not interning at WWF South Africa’s marine programme, she serves as an Earth Peace Warrior for Homey Impact. Homey Impact is a not-for-profit organisation that strives to inspire inclusive community environments.]

Categories: Mzansi's 100 News