Letter to Future Me!

Dear Sonia,

First reminder, where you are right now was never given to you for free, you had to work hard to get to where you are. Yet two days before you would get on your flight to arrive to University of Michigan, you wanted to decline the offer because you continued to believe that you did not deserve being accepted to UROP – Women and Gender Studies Fellowship Program. However, you had the choice to quit two days before and you choose not to, which means a lot about who you are not; a quitter. You have to remember that your ancestors and parents had to do the physical labor in order to give you the opportunity to do the mental labor in higher education. Always remember when you choose to continue with your higher education it shows that you have not taken for granted the struggles of your ancestors and parents because they only wanted to give you a better life. Even though your family may have no idea what you are doing (when you have explained to them over and over again) all that matters is that they support you and that will always be enough to get you through anything.

Second reminder, I wanted to let you know that during the 10-weeks there will be times when you may believe that you do not deserve to practice self-care because you constantly tell yourself that if your ancestors and parents did not take a break, then you cannot as well. However, you have to give your mind a break because that is a revolutionary act of self-love not only to yourself, but to your ancestors and parents who never got a chance to put themselves first before others.

Third reminder, continue to stay connected to your indigenous roots. Your mentor Kelly from California State University, Monterey Bay gave you one of her earrings of La Virgen de Guadalupe before you left because she knew La Virgencita would protect and guide me as long as I never reject or forget about her. Latinas with PhD are below 1% but, if Kelly could do it so can you because eres una mujer fuerte, chingona y intelligente con un grande corazón.

Last reminder, who you are right now is enough.