We Can Reach The Stars Tonight

Dearest Donald,

You are so loving and so brilliant. You have taken so much in stride and have survived, honey — you are still here. But what do you believe about your possibilities?

Okay, I can tell you how fabulous you are until I'm blue in the face, but you already know that. Still, I think you need a potent example to really emphasize this point, so allow me to present Queen Elizabeth II. Yes, her. Although she leads much of the world, take a look around at the world that she leads. She obviously only has the ability to wield what has been bestown to her by her ancestors; however, you have the power to create the future. It is nothing that needs to be proven; you see the evidence of this all around you. No one can ever take that ability away from you — it's yours and it will follow you wherever you go. It's in your walk and your smile; it can be felt reverberating from the walls of the rooms you've visited long after your exit. WORK!

But I know you're discouraged. I could say "Don't be." but I won't. Not this time, because I think I know what you're considering at the core of that discouragement. Questions like "Will I ever have what I need?" and "Will I ever love/Can I be loved unconditionally?" and "What is real?" and "What can I do?" buzz about your head like soon-to-be extinct honeybees, making you question your very identity. Good. Good because, well, that's the homework for the rest of your life. Honey, say it with me: "It's not a destination; it's a journey." Again, you already know the answers; perfect the questions. Find new ones that continue to excavate and polish. No, not into insanity, but to rise, descend and stride into this thing called life with even more thoughtfullness and purpose. And ferocity. You've known emptiness only because you are an alchemist who knows the richness of thin air that only appears to be nothing. You know what you do have and what you can do with that, but you don't have forever to use it. No, I'm not saying that out of emergency or even practicality, really, but I will say this: your bounty is already at hand. To enjoy. Now.

So, yes, you are getting older. For this reason, you say "Life should be more about living and less about struggle." Granted, because I know your definition of 'living well' isn't some materialistic oasis of luxury. You make some good points about appropriating a certain ease of mind and space that allows you to create - and breathe - I'm with you there. However, you engage the world. You know you have the power to do that. Will it pay? Of course it will, honey. Of course it will. You are at the very center of all of this. You are the 'global citizen' that Buju Banton wishes he could be and so much more. WORK!

So, yes, give yourself the comfort that you need. In abundance. Rest. Relax. Refresh. And then get your ass back up. The world needs you right now, as you are. You know what you are here to do; time and love is all you have. No, neither is limitless, but both are extensible. Be expedient with what you conjure. That magic is more than enough to offer this world, and to give to yourself.

From The One Who Loves You