As you grow up you will face many trials and hardships, experience many joys and a little sadness and make endless decisions and choices. Here are my instructions to you that I believe will help enhance your journey.
Always keep a journal. Start right now.
Respect the privacy of others and demand that they respect yours.
Be respectful towards others regardless of age, gender or ethnicity.
Do not always just accept what adults tell you. Ask endless questions. Demand truthful answers.
Trust yourself. Your inner voice and instincts won’t let you down if you listen for their truth. Do not be intimidated and afraid to speak up for yourself. You may be the only one who will.
Do not be afraid to try new and different things. Just because someone else might think you lack the capabilities doesn’t necessarily make it true. Their fears are not your fears.And courage is fear acted upon.
Always let your imagination run free and as you do…run with it.
Believe that anything is possible. It will help you accomplish many things. Even great things!
Always have a dream and move towards it. When you fulfill one, choose another.
Choose your friends carefully. Do not let them choose you. True friends are a rare find so when you meet one, nourish and cherish the friendship.
Give more than you receive, especially when it comes to kindness, compassion and love.
Listen more than you talk. You will learn so much more and learn to hear what others might miss.
Find time alone for yourself everyday to sit quietly and talk with God.
Surround yourself with people who will support you through your failures as well as rejoice and support you in your successes.
Do not become judgmental, you never know what a person is battling or experiencing.
Never ever gossip.
Never let anyone (family members included) steal your joy or passions. Do not let them manipulate you emotionally, physically, or mentally. Do not let them press their disappoints and regrets on your shoulders to carry.
Embrace your uniqueness-love yourself just as you are and be self-confident.
You have an inner strength that will serve you well on your journey in this life.
Travel whenever the opportunity presents itself! Alone, with family or friends, however, wherever, whenever. Just go! Embrace, appreciate and visit the beauty that God has surrounded us with. Experience the different places and cultures around the world. And do it with a child’s eye and sense of adventure.
If the craziness of this world begins to make you feel cynical spend time with a child. Give yourself over and see things through their eyes and imagination. It will bring back your natural wonder.
Dance alone or with someone. Don‘t worry who might see, who cares! Just always dance.
Start practicing yoga and never stop.
Always speak what is in your heart at the moment. It may be your only chance. No one can ever be sure that there is another tomorrow.
Cherish the special moments that come your way. Hold them in your heart and memory long after they pass.
Be a person of high morals and integrity but never become self-righteous or arrogant.
But above all, live in the present moment. As each milestone arrives, live it as fully as possible, don’t miss a moment of now by wishing, planning and focusing on the someday. Don’t wish your life away because it goes faster than you know.
And know this, there is always someone who loves you no matter what.