Recently graduated Penn State All-American Simone Lee writes a letter to her future self to remind her of how it feels to be where she is now.

Dear future self, 

How great is it that you get to do what you love every day? Think about how you got here. The time and dedication you put into your craft and all of the things you have worked for are finally coming to fruition. 

As you continue to put your best foot forward, think about things that have hindered you in the past and learn how to grow from those experiences. Perfection is a word you’ve heard a lot and it’s something you’ve strived for. But keep in mind: when you try to be a perfectionist, you lose sight of the fact that it’s okay to make a mistake. 

Use that competitive mindset to not aspire (and ultimately fail) at perfection, but to be the best that you can be. In this case, you are more susceptible to failing and trying again and still understanding that it’s all apart of the process. It’s about how you respond to that adversity which can determine the good from the great.

You’ve had so many amazing role models growing up, and now it’s time to return the favor. You’ve looked up to not only Penn State alumni but to other Olympic athletes who emulate what it means to be a competitor at the highest level. You have hung their posters in your room and you have watched their films, now it’s time for you to do what they did. Be a role model, an exemplar of not only athleticism and competitiveness but also of character. 

Being a black woman in sports, it’s especially important to relay the message that black girls in sport are needed and wanted. As a young girl starting in sport, seeing Serena Williams play tennis was just what was needed to let you see that not only was this one of the best — if not the best — tennis players of all time, but she looked just like you. And your thinking was, “If she can make it this far, so can I.” And just like her, I had an aspiration to not only be the best but to inspire other little black girls that highly competitive sport and successes are possible for them, too.

So Simone, continue to work hard. No matter what lies ahead, you can only control what you can control; so control your work ethic. Be the best version of you that you can be. You have so many opportunities to be great, it’s up to you to seize them. 

Always thank God for the blessings in your life. Continue to be your happy self and live the life of an essentialist. Remember, a positive mindset can take you far.

“If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do us no harm.” – African proverb

Best,

Simone, 2017