Dear YOUTH,
Am sorry it took so long for me to write to you.
The truth is I really didn’t want to write, I just wanted to convey my message to you in short sentences and pictures but a lot of you have written to me demanding for more, so I hope this new obsession helps you become the improved version of you.
Todays’ letter is titled 'EMOTIONAL LEGACY’.
The root meaning of the word Legacy means' something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past’.
While Emotions mean ‘ A moving, stirring or agitation'.
When we combine both words it becomes ‘EMOTIONAL LEGACY’ which means ‘ A stirring or agitation handed down from the past from an ancestor to a predecessor’.
1. I remember when I was 25, I scribbled down my epitaph.
2. I defined and decided what was going to be written down on my tomb.
3. I didn’t want a copy and paste inscription.
4. Thereafter, I started living my life in that direction.
5. The truth is when I was younger I made a lot of mistakes
6. I was sincerely wrong with the way I handled power, leadership, the little fame I had, some friendships and relationships.
7. Some I paid dearly for while time permitted me to amend and retract some before they became time bombs.
8. I had a lot of escapades like every young girl, I experimented, I tasted, I savoured, I rejected.
9. But one of the questions my subconscious always asked me was
‘10. What emotional legacy do you want to leave behind OYINKAN’?
11. How exactly do you want to be remembered when you die?
12. What would you be remembered for?
13. How would you be remembered SEXUALLY, EMOTIONALLY, FINANCIALLY, SPIRITUALLY?
14. Are you one of those youths that CAN and WILL do anything for MONEY?
15. What can you give in exchange for your VALUES?
16. What value do you attach to your NAME and YOUR WORDS?
17. What can you trade your dignity for?
18. How much is your body worth?
19. Would you be one of those YOUTHS that the internet would forever hold in un-forgiveness?
20. I mean, when you are about to become who you have worked painstakingly to be, will an email, nude picture, sex tape disturb your greatness?
21. I know you are pressured on every side to be a part of the ‘pepper them gang”
22. But just before you join them, be sure you don’t end up ‘peppering yourself’
23. Cos no one tastes real pepper and remains the same. PEPPER alters your state.
24. Can I request that you spend the next few seconds to reflect for a moment on relatives and other people you have known that are now gone. What comes to mind first? Was it their physical accomplishments or was it their emotional legacy?
Tonights instructive question is, how can you influence your current reputation? How can you start taking deliberate responsibility for your emotional legacy?
I hope you aren't under the illusion that you would act better when you grow up. If no one has told you, you are grown already. Social media is for grown ups and the fact that you can read this article means you must intentionally reduce your error rate.
I would revert on your previous letter in few days and if you learnt a thing or two, please share with other youths.
Your Coach,
Oyinkansola Alabi,
Founder, YOUTH MAX
Principal Coach, Merchants of Romance
