Thursday 26 September 2024
Radio-Canada Les Malins invited me to participate in a special project, where I was challenged to write a letter to my younger self. The task was to speak to the younger Ketcia and share the lessons I’ve learned throughout my life’s journey. While my journey is still ongoing, there are many lessons I’ve gathered that I wish I had known earlier. The resulting 13-minute capsule turned out to be both emotional and deeply authentic. I invite you to listen, and I hope that parts of my message resonate with you and offer a different way of looking at things and facts of life. You can hear the capsule in French by clicking the link below or you can read the English translated version below.
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Dear Ketcia,
I’m writing this from a place you can’t yet see, but trust me, it’s real. It’s waiting for you, even if right now, all you can see are hurdles in your way. You’ve always known life wouldn’t be easy—life’s a battle, no doubt about that. But here’s something you don’t quite realize yet: it’s worth every single fight. The obstacles ahead of you? They’ll shape you, yes, but they won’t define you.
You’ll fall down, you’ll struggle, but you’ll always get back up, stronger than before. Life will offer you opportunities that you can’t even imagine yet. You’ll meet people who will change your world, and you’ll find causes that light a fire in you. And that fire, it’ll guide you, even in the darkest times. It will lead you to places you didn’t expect, where you’ll do things you never thought possible. Remember those moments when you felt like the underdog? They’re going to teach you something important—that there’s a beauty in the struggle. Because, yes, life is tough, but it’s also incredibly beautiful. There’s laughter around every corner, joy in the simplest moments.
It’s funny how even in the hardest times, you’ll find reasons to smile, to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Life has a way of surprising you like that. You’ll fight, and it’ll feel exhausting, but through those battles, you’ll discover just how much you’re capable of. You’ll advocate for what matters—though you might not know it now, you’ll find your voice. And that voice will help others. It’ll push you to stand up, not just for yourself, but for those who come after you. And one day, when you’ve faced enough storms to know the skies will always clear, you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come. You’ll start to share your story—maybe even write it down, who knows? There could be a book in there somewhere.
Along the way, you’ll come across people who, no matter how kind, caring, or loving you are, simply won’t meet you halfway. And that’s okay. It doesn’t make you any less—it just means some people aren’t meant to stay in your story. Sometimes, walking away is the only way to protect your own peace. But don’t let it harden your heart, because even in those moments, life remains beautiful, full of people who will appreciate the love you give and the person you are. But more than anything, you’ll understand that your story isn’t just about survival; it’s about embracing all the moments, good and bad, that make life so unbelievably rich.
So, younger Ketcia, hang in there. The world is bigger, brighter, and funnier than you can imagine right now. Don’t be afraid to live fully, to take every opportunity, even when it seems like the odds are stacked against you. The journey will be wild, but it’ll also be yours. And in the end, that’s what matters most.
See you on the other side. You’ve got this.
With love and gratitude, Your future self
Link to Radio-Canada interview
Ketcia Peters is an entrepreneur and community advocate for economic inclusion and development for Black Canadians and the social justice sector. Her firm, Ketcia Peters Group Inc. (KPG) provides bilingual organizational and human development services to the public and private sector. This includes analysis and coaching of HR practices, strategic planning, organizational change, equity and inclusivity, and anti-racism. KPG also provides individual and group coaching. In recent years, KP Group Inc. has shifted to greatly expand its equity, diversity and inclusivity work at the municipal and community level, with a focus on anti-racism and anti-oppression. This work centers on a trauma-informed approach in order to ensure we do not cause further harm to those most marginalized in our communities. Visit her website at: https://ketciapeters.com/