"Dear Dorothy
You inspire and motivate so many women, men, young adults, students and teenagers to tell their stories, to talk. Your message, stories, and strength has and will reach thousands of people.
People are talking! Keep going! Normalize these conversations."
AND THEN THE WRITER SO GRACIOUSLY added "Miss Universe Canada! We are cheering for you! We support you."
I'm in awe. I'm beyond flattered, humbled and honoured.
Does that surprise you? How shocked I am? Because it doesn't surprise me. I am not afraid of being known or being in the spotlight for a speech I'm about to give, or even being a teacher in a class with kids who literally idolize you so much they are begging to simply fill up your Tiger mug with water-- within seconds of me finishing it. Every. Time. However, I was not (past tense) one who was receptive to kindness or compliments, or letters that re-iterate exactly what I try to tell myself when I post vulnerable postings and sit there like "oh man, should I have said that? Was it too much?" In other words, worry, worry, worry, worry.
This letter today, however, did so much more for me than I think the writer will ever know, as I had such a D-funked morning. (I made that up D-Funked) The morning was beautiful, sun was coming out in a spectacular way- so much so I even took a photo and posted it online with the following caption:
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| "I wanna make a change, make this place a little better. We need to live within a world where EVERYBODY matters - I don't want to see anyone's sons or daughters crying cause they don't fit in with what society has taught them"⚡ Thank you Leah Guest for those awesome lyrics, took the words straight from my mouth. I wake up in this oasis every morning and think. Just think. What's happening in the world, what's happening around my community, if I feel any void of sorts I start writing... But most importantly has been my implementation of spirituality and allowing the universe to work while I work hard in it. What we put in we get back out? But don't push yourself, you'll end up pushing everything and everyone around you. Take care of you first.' |
(Bed is messy I know, but it was a momentary thing)
If you know that song 7 years by Luke Graham then you know the other version by Leah Guest. When I first heard that tune I thought to myself "This is how I wish I could get my message out, because people would totally listen." I love to sing and I used to sing in choir, Oakville Academy for the Arts, but then I let my friends critical "jokes" into my head and I began to believe it more than anyone else that I couldn't sing for beans. SO I STOPPED! Except when I am in my car... duh. Then I'm Adele, or trying to be.
BACK TO WHATS IMPORTANT #ADHD loves to kick in.
I cannot express the amount of gratitude and love I have for those around me. Individuals like my friend Brittany Fisler who managed to surprise me at my Fundraiser last weekend, or this beautiful woman from Kitchener who is Editor in Chief at Corporita Magazine, Executive director at the Canadian Council for the Dissemination of Science and Culture...These types of people don't just walk into my life. I mean they do, but they do because I am working with the universe instead of against it. In other words, I have to accept what will come knowing that I am competent and capable to handle a set back, whether physical, mental or emotional. Why? because I don't just want to survive, I want to LIVE! I want to LIVE AND LOVE LIFE! I used to say people were lying when they would tell me I love my life, but we're not. It just takes a lot more self awareness and self care.
I self talk to myself everyday now given that, contrary to last year, I'm carrying what feels like the solution/secret of how to "just be." Or never have a day pass you by where you feel like you can't centre yourself, its out of your control-- even to try and remind yourself who you are and what you're grateful for that made you into the person you are today- the tough times, the rough times, the # of times you thought to yourself "I don't know" or "I don't know what to do.."
I found this picture because it represents a lot of what my self talk begins with...
I always begin with saying out loud "I am safe right now, as I am usually in my car, apartment, school aka workplace, or anywhere in Canada (rarely far) and I know that I AM SAFE, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO KEEP MYSELF SAFE..." Well, doesn't that sound so much easier said than done...
unless you are in danger, you should be able to calm your mind knowing you're in a place where you mentally chose knowing you were good..in that more "stable" moment if you will, so never let the fear of being some where not near play a big role..because you know what this is and you have felt this before. IT IS OKAY BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN OURSELVES GET OUT OF THIS BEFORE, SO WE'RE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN JUST A DIFFERENT SCENERY!
Grab HOLD to your breath and re-claim it. BREATHE IN AND BREATHE OUT (saying it to yourself, and stand up straight it helps haha)
Just remember that whatever you're feeling will pass..It might not be immediate but I promise if you try and go work out- walk- call a friend- put on a show that totally relaxes you or consumes your mind- take a bath and youtube Meditation music and force it- WE GOTTA WORK IT LADIES AND GENTS!
IT'S UP TO US.
SO! TO MY DEAR FRIEND WHO SENT THIS LETTER, I DEDICATE THIS POST TO YOU. Thank you for reminding me how important it is for me to share these kinds of conversations, because we need to have them. We need to reach out and speak out...
I hope to make you all proud of my Miss Universe Canada efforts, as I am just going to enjoy myself and the experience- it's once in a lifetime.
Thank you every one so much
SOOO MUCH
Dorothy xoxo
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