You Got This (love letter)

My dear,

Making it through these woods is not easy. It is not a task for the faint of heart or for the weak. Lucky for you, you are neither.

Will there be wolves? Of course. They’ll snap their gruesome teeth at you, drool dripping down their long, sharp teeth. They’ll try to pin you to the ground. They’ll try to overwhelm you. Overcome you.

I’m seasoned in these woods and even I am knocked down by a wolf once in a while. It’s important to remember, that even if they succeed, they won’t for long. It’s all temporary. You’re much too strong for them. Even if you lie on your back, pinned against the dirt and dead leaves, wolf after wolf pushing you down, trying to bite you – trying to leave you paralyzed and crippled – breathing their vulgar rotten meat breath in your face……..

You’ll look inside of yourself. You’ll see that light that shines in your core. That’s your willpower. Will it into your limbs, your head, your heart. That’s all you have to do. With the glowing power of will pulsing through your limbs, you’ll kick and the wolf that was about to bite your face off will go flying. He’ll knock over his buddies that were thinking they wanted to pounce on you, too, until they all get knocked down like mere bowling pins.

You’ll stand up and straighten your hood, pick up your basket, and be on your way again.

Remember your strengths as you continue. Remember that you are fearless. Remember that you are resilient. Remember that you and I are cut from the same cloth – the one that burns red with ferocity and determination and courage. Remember that you radiate relentlessness. And remember that nothing, and I mean nothing, can keep you from reaching your destination.

Sometimes it will feel like you have too long a way ahead of you. Sometimes you’ll look ahead and the woods will be dark and deep, filled with perceived impending disasters. Sometimes you will have a long path to follow and I know, fending off the wolves can be tiresome. But what’s the alternative?

The way I see it, you can do one of two things…

You can let your weariness seep into your bones, allow it drag you down, and lie down in the dirt for the wolves to devour you.

Or

You can turn around and take a look at how far you’ve come. It doesn’t matter if it’s only been two steps. That is remarkable. Take a look at the progress you’ve made and then face forward again and take another step. Allow that light inside of you to shine out show strongly that it works like a laser beam and wolves are decimated when they even attempt to look at you.

You’ll shine so brightly – radiate strength and will so powerfully that the wolves won’t dare cross you. They’ll know better. Even the most courageous will cower in fear when you give them the “don’t you dare mess with me right now” look.

Keep your eyes on your destination. Keep your eyes on Grandma’s house. Don’t waiver your stare. This will keep you from getting lost. This will keep you moving forward, step by step until you smell that sweet scent of success (and maybe some home baked cookies) awaiting you at her door.

Keep going. You got this.

With love and flame red fierceness,

Red Riding Hood

© Theresa Blackwood, 2021. No part of this site, www.theresablackwood.com, may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner.