Keep Believing, Keep Fighting, Keep Working Hard - Linda Ikeji

There were many nuggets of inspiration in the online letter Linda Ikeji shared with her blog's readers yesterday. In the first part of the letter, she responded to critics, and assured her readers about stories they may have heard from those whom she may have offended, and whom may be peddling rumors about her.


However, the part that interested me the most came towards the end of the letter where she revealed that this August, she's starting a
Youth Empowerment Program for young girls that would help to finance their small businesses. She also plans to make her media and entertainment business reach into TV also. She goes on to share more words of encouragement that really moved me.

In her own words;

Anyway, more stuff will be written about me and I'm cool with it. I write about people so it's only fair that others write about me. You know what they say; you get what you give! I know that. I understand it and I accept it. And I don't plan to respond to most of the talk...sometimes I will but most of the time I won't. You choose what you want to believe and what you don't. And those who are worried about my reputation, don't be! You see, when God stands by you, no one can bring you down. Plus none of the people writing are holier. Besides, it comes with being on top. So many people will try to bring you down, but you never ever give them the chance. They can try, just don't ever let them win.

The thing is, I plan to be around for a long time. I'm only 32 and I'm just starting. Blogging is just a starting point for me. I'm planning to build my own studio here in Lagos, produce TV shows and be a media mogul. That's my dream and I'm already on that path. I'm looking forward to my future!

Also I'm starting a youth empowerment program where I will not only guide and mentor young girls, but also help finance their small scale businesses. That starts in August. It's my way of giving back.

Having said all that let me give advice to all the young people reading this:
1. What people think about you is not important...because they will have an opinion and there's nothing you can do about it. But remember, it's what you think about yourself that matters the most. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you're less than what you are. Never let anyone make you think low of yourself. Always think up. Remember, whatever you think about yourself, that's what you are!

2. You can be anything you want to be. For all the dreamers out there, here's something you need to know. The time while you're waiting for your dreams to come true is not a bad time. All you have to do is keep moving, keep believing, keep fighting, keep working hard and keep praying. You see the God we serve? He's not a foolish God. He's a marvelous God. His ways are not our ways. There's an appointed time for everything. When He's ready for you, you won't believe what hit you. When your dream takes off, you're going to be running, trying to keep up with it. Your dreams will come true because you deserve it. Just never give up! I'm a living testimony!

3. Remember, one day this life will be over...so while you're still here, you must live the best life you can. You owe that to yourself. Feel as much love, as much joy, as much happiness as you can handle. You can have a good life. You deserve to be happy. You deserve good things. Be good to yourself and others and all good things will come to you.

Linda Ikeji was one of my motivational women's stories for March and this letter also reminds me that she's the author of a motivational book. I wish her all the best in her future plans, and I hope you're as inspired by her letter as I am.

http://fastflexer.blogspot.com