Dear Reader,

As a 21-year-old I know I don't have my life all together, but I have learned many lessons in those 21 years. Life is as they say, "what you make it". You may not have yet reached a very low point or never will but there is much to learn from the experiences you take part in. From common daily happenings like taking out the trash to first-time events like taking a trip to Italy. Those memories shape a person and their perceptions allowing them to grow and understand who they truly are.

I want to let you know, the reader, that these experiences prior mentioned are shaped by the people around you and your attitude to the situations. From my own experience, I have learned that being authentic and candid to new people I meet generate the best reactions. Being yourself is the quintessential source of success in human to human interaction, being genuine will never go out of style. No one likes a fake, we have all been in a situation where someone strains to fit in to be liked. I personally would rather not be accepted for being myself than not accepted being a phony. The strongest friendships are forged out of honesty and trust and authenticity is the key.

If there is anything you can take from this letter is that doing what makes you happy is the most important thing. Happiness is the result of being true to yourself, those who surround you will look to you as a beacon of scrupulousness. Being self-aware leads you to respect others and their ideas. When in touch with your inner self you can listen to others more clearly and can shift focus from your own self-centered desires. Being an authentic individual is the most vital part to a successful joy-filled life.

George Idiyalu