Dear High School Graduate,
Everything will be OK.
This is for the ones who've just graduated high school. The ones who are finally done dipping their toes in the pool of adult world and are now having to plunge their whole body in, whether they are jumping in cannon ball style or getting pushed into the pool by that really scary dude named reality.
This is for the ones who have mixed feelings on their future. The ones who have already packed up their things as they count down the days they head on that plane. This is for the ones who are absolutely terrified. (Psst—I promise everything will be OK, and as scary as it is, you can conquer anything and everything.) This is for the ones who never have to look back at their high school career and only have to look forward to every stepping stone that will create their future.
Whether you are packing up your things and heading across the country or simply staying at home as you attend community college, one thing is for sure—a lot will change, you will grow, and your perspective on the world will alter in the next few months. Change, growth, and leaving are all scary, but you have to remember they are also a natural part of life, and the sooner we learn to use these as an advantage to ourselves and blossom as we create the future we want, the faster we will be excited to wake up knowing our day will lead to an unknown adventure into just another day in our amazing new life. We now have options. We have unlimited options. From who we choose to surround ourselves with, to how we treat our minds and bodies. This is the time where we finally start to sprout into the real world.
Keep these lessons/tips under your wing as you fly to your dream life, because everything you have ever wanted to accomplish and do and see and wear and feel, this is finally your chance to do it!
1. The only thing stopping you from doing what you want to do, being who you want to be, surrounding yourself with who you want, and living your dream life is fear of the unknown lack of faith.
(If you get anything from this article, understand and keep this tip in the back or front of your head forever.) I'm here to calm you down and let you know this. Take time out of your day, actually sit down, think about what really makes youhappy and what you want, and write out your dreams. Don't short yourself of anything, you deserve it all and you are powerful enough to do it. Write out the steps you need to get where you want to be. Recognize that there will be struggle along the way, but to not let that bring you down, but instead make you excited to take on these battles because you know nothing is permanent and you can accomplish anything. You will manifest it all and more.
Set goals. Visualize yourself living the life you want that will make you so happy, and you will manifest it all. Sounds crazy and stupid, magic right? But it's not. Think about it, there are people in the world doing exactly what you want to do and they are doing it with no trouble. The thing that is different from the person who is living their dream life and accomplishing all their dreams to the person who is living life with a life jacket on, is that they are actually crazy enough, confident enough, and ready enough to do it. Create faith in the future. Find your faith in the higher power. Feel the faith in yourself. Faith goes a long way and completely dominates fear. Listen to me right now, you can do anything you want to do. How much freedom and beauty this world has, we basically have a free pass to be anything we want. So why wouldn't we choose to be the best version of ourselves?
2. Know now that life isn't easy, but that doesn't mean it's against you.
If you want to do big things and accomplish crazy goals, there won't be one easy path. It's going be a hell of an adventure that I like to call life. Don't get caught up in mishaps. Don't let road blocks stop you from the gold. Like they say, sometimes it's not your destination that is magical, but the trip it takes you to get there. You might feel as if life just punched you in the face. "Of course something has to go wrong. Life is never on my side." You're looking at it totally wrong! Life throws you curve balls because that's what makes us a true human. That's what makes us stronger and wiser. Those curve balls might seem like you just took two steps back, but in reality, you just took 10 steps forward. They are a blessing in disguise. So next time you feel as if there's no way you can do that big scary thing, take a moment to reconnect with yourself, take a deep breath, realize that you overcame every obstacle since birth so far, and know in your soul you can not only overcome the challenge, but also get a lot of learning and strength from it.
3. Money is a myth.
Don't look into careers just because you will be making big bucks. Of course it's great to have that as one of your goals, become a millionaire! Who doesn't want to be loaded? However, if you go into college or even life in general with your main focus on making money, you will probably lack a lot of happiness. "Making a lot of money and being happy only happens in the movies, dude. I't's not possible to be both." You are wrong! Jump into your upcoming life, craving happiness. Focus on doing good and bettering yourself. Do what makes you happy. Don't rely on money to make you happy because true happiness comes from within and from helping others. I promise that if you plunge in with happiness, confidence, and you enjoy every step of the way with your goal constantly in your head that you want to make a lot of money too, you will be led into a direction filled with all you ever wanted, including that green.
4. We are our toughest critics.
The faster you make friends with yourself, love yourself, apply your strengths and work on your weaknesses, the faster you will start living a life full of success. The faster you learn that once your heart is beating love, your soul is spreading peace, and your mind is calm, you shine on the outside even brighter. We all have a purpose on this Earth. We all carry a gift that is powerful enough to change lives. Focus on what truly matters, don't get caught up in how gross you think your body hair is or how you don't have those collar bones you want. Focus on your mental health and your physical health. Eat right and exercise daily. Once you feel happy and accomplished with yourself, you will start to realize your perspective on how you look at yourself will completely change for the better. Your heart is beating, you're breathing fresh air. Life. Is. Good. You. Are. Beautiful. Nobody wants to wake up one morning in their mid 60s and have a self realization that they spent their whole life not loving themselves when they know they are so awesome. We only have one body! Take advantage of this blessing!
5. Be open to new people.
Get excited to create new connections, see the world in a different point of view. We learn a lot about ourselves and the world around us once when we get out there and start talking. If you're like me and get extremely nervous meeting new people, prepare yourself before. Get yourself out there and turn the attention onto others. Take the time to really work on this aspect in your life. What a blessing to be surrounded by all of these unique beings, living their life completely different than everyone else. We all hold huge strengths that we can teach others. As you use your voice to spread happiness, you will only get happiness in return.
6. Focus on the good, speak only the positive, and get engaged with what makes you happy.
"I hate my job. I don't weight 120 pounds. My face will never clear up!" These are distracted thoughts. Stop getting caught up in the negativity that is leading you down the sad path. Ask yourself this: Can you change it? Yes? Change it! No? Accept it and love it. When you repeat the same old negative complaint, "I'm broke. My life sucks!" The universe, the higher power, only keeps hearing that you're broke. That your life sucks. The universe will keep attracting you towards being broke and having a sucky life! What do you expect?! Start saying the positive version, "I'm going to work hard to earn the money I want. I'm going to enjoy my life." By saying this, you create an unbreakable bond with the universe as you attract more happiness in your life. Instead of "I'm so fat," replace it with "I'm grateful to have the opportunity to transform my body into the healthiest and happiest version, let's get rock n rollin'!"
7. There's nothing to be afraid of.
I'm still learning and taking this one in every morning and reminding myself. Don't let fear take over your time. I spent my whole high school career letting fear take over me. Letting it take over my relationships with people. Take over opportunities. When I graduated, I said enough is enough. It's my turn to rule. I'm not letting fear rule. In whatever situation you are in, recognize that you have a vivid choice to feel nervous or fearful or to feel confident and faithful. Always choose to feel confident and faithful.
A lot of information thrown at your face, but one thing is for sure, we can do it. We are grateful to have an opportunity to have such a great education. Make the most of your life! Stop putting things you truly want to do aside following with an excuse why it's not the right time to do what you love to do. The best time is right now. Make a promise to yourself that you will now see yourself as a confident and bold adult.
Best wishes to all attending college, starting interns, job hunting, or just trying to figure out what the hell you want do for the rest of your life!
Much love, graduate.
