[22:06, 2016/06/01]
I wish at that tender age somebody had handed you a life manual to memorize, so you’d know better what to expect from the never ending discoveries of this life journey. Honestly, being younger is far easier than the responsibility that comes with being an adult. Your sister will tell you that you aren’t the typical 14-year old…Maturity seems to make its acquaintance with you at an early age, with the tragic loss of your father. Being introduced to such an unanticipated pain set a precedence for the kind of person you will become, injected with a strength that will prepare you for what comes with growth. Soon you will start to develop a curiosity for understanding who you are, as many questions arise within yourself. You will wonder if you are beautiful enough…if you are cool enough- because we all know how critical teenagers are of each other without being upfront, at times.
Although finding yourself is a gradual process, remember that you will have a mother whom you can’t disappoint; a shoulder that remains available to absorb your tears; unmatched love and support from home and those who matter and your own ambition to achieve and make something of yourself. You see, when you look at your peers, you will learn how to gauge what’s important to you. Do you please your friends- who won’t be responsible for your future, or do you listen to logic, practice principle and make friends by empowering yourself through education? You will the latter and it will be the best route you could have taken because it will give you the opportunity to nurture your intelligence; be brave enough to say yes and no within reason.
I’m glad you stuck to your guns because I can safely say the foundation you chose to follow and grow from helps you develop a backbone and true self-love. You will never try to find the wrong kind of love or validation from somebody else, or let anybody affect you negatively because you will be firm in who you are. You will come to understand that you can never make everybody happy, and the best thing you can ever do is to live a life filled with purpose, spirit, love and happiness. You can never say you know it all; because it would mean losing your hunger to continue learning, and one of the secrets to being a decent soul is to have a desire to keep learning: “life is a never-ending journey of discovery,” and your reaction to each discovery determines whether you sink or swim. Make sure you are able to take pride in the individual you’ll become! Growing up teaches us we can never change our experiences in life as they are there to shape us, so make the best out of the life you have been given. And while you’re still young enjoy the innocence that comes with being a teen because there really is no hurry… fun doesn’t end!
Love,
21 Year Old You
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