MADE Maven Special Women's Issue April 2018 | Page 66

MADEUS
dream
responsibly
A LETTER TO MY SISTERS
MADE BY ARIKA LINTON
There is an unknown quote that
I'm reminded of that simply states,
"Be who you needed when you were
younger." This year, I have made
an effort in committing to journal.
Through my commitment, I have
learned the value of reflection.
One thing is for sure, I have
wronged and I have been wronged.
But on this journey called life, I've
adopted the thought that if we
allow ourselves to learn from our
mistakes as well as victories then we
will evolve into greater versions of
ourselves.
My dearest sisters, merriam-web-
ster.com describes the word dream
as "a strongly desired goal or
purpose." To me, I interpret this to
mean that any idea or thought I set
my mind to can be accomplished.
What ideas and or thoughts are you
committed to? What goals within
yourself have you set out to ac-
complish? Have you failed yourself?
Have you impressed yourself?
To dream responsibly is to recog-
nize your own brilliance. To dream
responsibly is to accept the charge
of greatness that you have what
it takes to change the world. To
dream responsibly is to marry the
idea that anything is possible. For
so long, I was committed to the idea
that I could only change the world
through one lens. It wasn't until I
went through what I would call the
worst time of my life that caused
me to search inward for true value.
Throughout this process which for
me lasted about 7 months (long
ain't it, sis?) God took me on what
I'd like to call a pruning process. I
now recognize this as a blessing in
disguise because he literally desert-
ed me from everything I knew and
loved to build strength, courage,
wisdom and above all character.
Sisters, character is so essential to
our becoming process. Character is
who we are when no one is watch-
ing. As we accept the responsibility
of our dream and the highs and
lows it takes us on, we also accept
the challenge to empower our peers
and the next generation of sisters.
Accepting the responsibility in-
cludes wearing your crown, always.
Guarding your gate, (which is your
words) and watering the dream for
manifestation.
I penned this letter to you in
hopes of encouraging you to be
mindful of your thoughts. The
thoughts you develop are often-
times your dreams communicating
to you.
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