Our community is full of women as diverse and vibrant as the Texas Wildflowers. Celina is a haven of remarkable females whose stories of resilience, passion, and grace run deep. We asked a few of these ladies to share wisdom with their younger selves. We hope their advice inspires and empowers us all.
Dear Younger Me,
True contentment is not found in tangible things but in connection with others. When you find yourself thinking that you will be happy when you graduate, lose weight, get married, drive a certain car, or build your dream house, you will be searching forever. Happiness is not an accomplishment or a destination. It’s not found in the big things but instead, it’s in the little things. It’s also only found in the present moment. Be still and pay attention. There is beauty all around you every single day. You just need to quiet yourself and look around.
Some of your closest friends will become your family of choice. God places a few of these people in your life to fill the roles that are missing, be it a parent, grandparent, or sibling.
Never think you are too busy to see a loved one. Work can always wait, but time with them may not always be there. That’s a painful lesson to learn and one you can’t go back and change.
The void you are trying to fill in your heart cannot be quieted. It is there so that you will look up and lean into God. Nothing else can fill, satisfy, or heal it.
Lastly, we are all born with everything we need to fulfill our purpose on earth. Don’t strive to find it, just look within. Everyone has their gifts and can make a difference by using them.
Love,
Lori
Lori Vaden West
Compass Real Estate
LoriVadenWest.com
Dear Younger Me,
I know you’re full of ideas, energy, and dreams that seem bigger than life itself—and I want you to know that’s a beautiful thing. You are a force of joy and possibility, and the world needs that spark you carry. I understand the pull to seek new experiences and chase excitement but remember, it’s okay to sit still for a moment and reflect. You don’t always need to be moving to be growing.
There will be times when you feel restless or overwhelmed by the sheer number of things you want to do. You may avoid uncomfortable emotions or fear of being “stuck,” but those feelings, even the hard ones, have a purpose. Don’t shy away from them. They’ll help you understand yourself more deeply and guide you toward the most fulfilling paths.
You have an incredible gift for seeing potential, creating connections, and inspiring others with your optimism. But also know this: you don’t have to do it all at once. It’s okay to slow down, to let go of the need for constant excitement, and to focus on building something meaningful that lasts.
Trust your ability to create joy, but also trust that stability and depth will bring you even more peace and satisfaction in the long run. You are enough just as you are, and the adventure isn’t only in the next big thing—it’s also in how you show up, in the quiet moments, and in the relationships you build.
You’ve got this, and I’m so proud of the amazing person you’re becoming.
With love and support,
Your Future Self
Iris Meneley
CEO & Owner of Texas Amps & Axes: Shop & School of Music
school.texasampsandaxes.com
Dear Younger Me,
First off, just know it doesn’t have to be perfect and everything happens for a reason! I know right now it feels like you're constantly fighting to prove yourself and question whether you belong. But let me tell you this—you do. Your perspective, your experiences, and your voice are not just valuable; they are necessary. One day, you’ll realize that the very things that make you feel different are the same things that will set you apart and make you unstoppable.
You will face obstacles that seem like overwhelming moments where you wonder how you'll keep pushing forward. Surprise, you become a young mother, and you’ll be tested in ways you never expected. You’ll feel the weight of responsibility, the exhaustion, the fear of not being enough. But let me tell you, you are enough. You are stronger than you know, and every challenge you face will shape you into the resilient, unstoppable woman you are meant to be.
You will build a career in a world that wasn’t designed for you, and you will thrive in it. You will learn to speak with confidence, to command rooms, and to make decisions with conviction. You’ll inspire others just by showing up as your authentic self; always stay true to her! And when you look back, you won’t just see the struggles—you’ll see the victories. The moments you broke barriers. The times you proved to yourself (and everyone else) that you were more than capable. Through it all, never lose sight of who you are; your mom raised a strong woman. Hold onto your kindness, your integrity, and your fire. You are going to do incredible things. Keep going.
With love and pride,
Future Tasha
Tasha Davis
Director of Marketing & Communications
Centurion American
Dear Younger Me,
Your life looks nothing like you imagined—and that’s the best part. That perfectly planned timeline? Toss it out the window. Everything will fall into place exactly as it’s meant to, in ways far better than you could ever predict. I know you think there’s a mold for what success should look like. But there is no one right way to do life, to build a career, or to chase a dream. Do it your way!
Remember how you dreamed of being an interior designer or a veterinarian? Well, surprise! You become a chiropractor, helping hundreds of people and families in your community live healthier, more vibrant lives. And beyond that, you become a mom—a role more beautiful, challenging, and empowering than you ever imagined. Nothing will grow you more, stretch your heart wider, or make you feel more alive than raising your son.
There will be moments when you doubt yourself—when confidence wavers, when you wonder if you have what it takes. But hear me now: You are enough. The moment you stop trying to be who you think you should be and embrace the person you already are, life will start to bloom in ways you never expected.
And those disappointments? The friendships that fade, the doors that close, the moments that feel like failure? They’re all redirecting you to something greater. One day, you’ll look back and see how every challenge, every detour, and every unexpected moment was shaping you into the woman you were always meant to be.
But here’s the most important thing—slow down. Life isn’t a race to the next milestone. Stop rushing to “what’s next.” Soak it all in—the laughter, the struggles, the small wins, the ordinary days. These are the moments that make up a beautiful life.
So take a deep breath. Right now is enough. And life is about to surprise you in the best possible ways.
Love + Light,
Dr. Kelsey Wood, DC
Dr. Kelsey Wood, DC
Family & Pediatric Chiropractor
TrueLightChiropractic.com
Dear Younger Me,
Life as you know it now is a chapter of a much larger narrative. What you see, the roles you fill, the loves you have, and the heartbreaks you endure are actually gifts in this chapter. Don’t rush through this part to get to the next chapter. There is so much to savor, even those things that seem bitter, which are breaking up the dry places inside you that long to become fertile places of new growth and flourishing. Take time to be present in what is right now, as it will not be exactly like this again.
Listen to the desires and ideas that are deep within you. These are a reflection of the uniqueness of you as you are created. Be open to ways to bring these creative ideas to life. If you don’t, who will? And by the way, if those you trust the most can’t see your vision, give them a break, it was not given to them but to you for your flourishing.
As you turn one chapter and enter another, take time to examine the themes, instincts, and longings that have been a thread from the beginning. These are glimpses of your truest self deep inside. That part of you that is constant no matter what chapter you are in or what role you find yourself in. It is the reflection of your creator that only you can bring to the world and it is always for good.
Your story is amazing and beautiful! Drink in each moment,
Future Jan
Jan Sampeck
Owner of Christian Brothers Automotive Celina
CBAC.com