#dearyoungerself was trending on Twitter this week and it got me thinking…. what I would tell an 18 year old Nova about her future. Would I warn her of the creeps or do we all need that ‘reference point’? Do I elude to the fantastic adventures or push for her to find her own way?

The rough roadmap for a younger Nova is below. Though these are my personal lessons, perhaps what I’ve lived through could be helpful to you today. Read on…

Knowing what you know now, what would you say to a younger YOU? Leave your reply in the comment section.

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-talk yourself INTO it rather then OUT of it.

-look for the lesson in everything. know that wherever you find yourself, YOU put yourself there.

-athletes, musicians, producers, rappers and millionaires are still PEOPLE. appreciate the qualities that earned them their fortune MORE THEN the fortune. look at the person, not the ‘stuff’. it’s just stuff. and it’s not your stuff so really…why get excited?

-save your money and go see the world, otherwise you’ll waste precious summers working 12 hour shifts for nothing.

-when you go out to a club, watch your drinks. while you’re at it, keep an eye on your friends drinks. seriously scary things happen if you don’t.

-unless you’re willing to move, don’t bother with the long distance relationships. any of them.

-see it for what it is, not what you want it to be.

-people don’t change they just show you who they are.

-Detroit. the guys there talk the best game you’ll ever hear in your life. master manipulators and conversationalists. street smarts from another planet. pretty faces and cold hearts.pay attention. this classroom will prepare you for the music business. and dating.

-don’t get into cars with people you don’t know. i don’t care how cold it is or how drunk you are. find another way.

-you look fine. stop asking everyone.

-your male friends will have your back. trust them.

-learn how to cook West Indian food from now and be queen of the world.

-embrace your femininity. you don’t have to hide under baggy clothes. you are beautiful. claim it.

-leave your hair curly and save thousands in the salon.

-say NO to shwarmas at 3am.

-you deserve these great opportunities. act like it.

-your spirituality is toolbox that you need for all situations. seek and study until you have faith.

-keep watching Oprah.

-advocate for yourself at work. ask questions. be prepared. study the industry. not all women you work with have your best interest at heart.

-don’t sleep with people in your office. ever. awkward.

-be nice to your sister. you are one another’s witness in this life.

-forgive your father. he’s doing what he knows how to do.

-have patience with your mother. she just wants to help.

-treasure your grandparents. they live for you. and if grandma wouldn’t approve, you probably shouldn’t be doing it.

-one night you’ll be working and a gorgeous man will catch your attention. he will then proceed to ignore you. later that night he will call your work and leave his number. it will be strange because you never spoke to him, and who leaves a phone number for someone they don’t know, but, i promise, he’s not a wack-job psycho. call him. trust me, call him.