Dear Teenagers,
You think this world cannot hurt you and you think that you cannot be touched. You believe that you are on top of the world and that nothing can defeat you. So you take some risks. You drive 100 mph on the highway because it is exhilarating, you drink until you black out, you do some cocaine but swear it will only be once. Because you believe that you are invincible and you believe that you are indestructible, but you are not.
We feel as though we are young and free, soaring sky high and nothing can bring us down. But do you realize you are not made out of steel? I know you are having fun and being young, but you are putting your life at risk. Eventually if you continue to play with fire you are going to get burned. You have your whole damn life ahead of you, it would be a shame if your story ended too soon.
It's honestly scary how strong we think we are. We think nothing can touch us, nothing can hurt us. We are so wrong. But we drive our cars fast and blast our music, and we finish bottles and throw our heads back with laughter before blacking out, we do drugs because "yolo," right? No. Because even though you have done those things and are still here today, one day you might not be so lucky.
One day you could lose control and smash into the guardrail. One day you could blackout and not wake up in the morning, leaving your friends to find you. One day you could OD, leaving your family wondering why you would ever put such dangerous substances in your body. Don't let that day come. There are so many things in this world more powerful than you, kid, and one wrong move can destroy you. Stop pretending you are tough and cool and don't care. Since when did not giving a f*ck about your life become cool? Give a f*ck. Please just care about yourself and the people in your life to stop putting your life on the line.
I'm not trying to say don't have any fun. Go out on a Friday night and have a few drinks, smoke some weed occasionally if that's what you're into, push 80 on the highway if you're running late. There's a fine line between fun and dangerous, and too often we young people cross those lines and don't realize it until it's too late.
Self destruction is not funny or beautiful. Think of everything you want to do in life, think of your hopes and dreams. Is one stupid night worth losing all of that? Is that last drink worth never being able to party with those friends again? Is it worth them carrying your death with them the rest of their lives? Before you take those drugs from a stranger, think about what your mom will say to the hospital when the phone rings. There is no rewind button on life, you cannot take back what happens. One choice, one action, can destroy you.
To teenagers everywhere: You are not invincible. I know it feels like you are King/Queen of the world and that no one can touch you. I know you are having fun and embracing your youth. But please, be careful. I recently realized how in one moment, everything can change. In a split second fun can turn into a tragedy. Stop trying to test fate because you will not beat it.
Embrace your life and live it to the fullest. Let your radiance shine through and light up the lives of those around you. Have fun, be wild, be free, and be smart. You have the rest of your life ahead of you, don't risk it. Hug your friends and tell them you love them, go on adventures, take a million pictures, be bold, and live safely.You may not be invincible, but you are most certainly irreplaceable.
