To My Younger Self,
Keep fighting. Fight to be the best you can be. Fight the bitterness. Fight to keep your positivity. Fight for your friends. Fight to love everyone around you. Don’t give up just because it may be easier. I promise you that the fight is worth it. More importantly, winning these battles will add to your strength, your courage, and your faith. Recognize who the real enemy is. It is not your mother, your father, or your siblings. It is not your teacher or your friends. You are fighting a spiritual battle, and you already have the Victor on your side. So breathe, pinpoint the enemy, and fight. Fight for your life. Because that is exactly what he is trying to destroy.
Love beyond your capability. No matter who it is—love them. Remember that love is not giving a person what he wants but rather what he needs. When someone needs a friend, be there. When a person needs to talk, listen. When someone needs the truth, tell him in love. Eradicate falsehood, malice, and gossip. I know that is not how you desire to be treated, so resist acting in such ways toward others. If someone does not love you back or treat you fairly, get back up and love them more fervently. Not only will your Father be delighted, but you will also build character. It will not be easy, and I can promise you that.
Never forget your mother’s laugh, your father’s pat on the back, or your stepmother’s advice. These things will push you through your darkest days, your loneliest nights, and your worst failures. The day will arrive when you will not be able to go into the next room and make your mom laugh. Instead, you will settle for texting and low-quality FaceTime calls. One day you will be sitting in a room states away wishing you could feel the pat of approval from your father. When you walk into the kitchen, you will not see your stepmother ready to talk about anything and everything. You will be greeted by strangers instead. Be prepared for these days. Absorb everything around you because it will not last forever.
Listen to your parents. When your mom tells you she is not going to buy you a spy watch, just put it away. I know it seems like the coolest gadget, but there will be cooler items. Trust me on this one. When your dad tells you to take the cough medicine, don’t put up a fight. He is trying to help you. He wants you to recover. He wants you to sleep through the night. Just take the Robitussin. When your stepmother tells you no snack before dinner, be grateful you have enough food to enjoy snack and dinner. Put the snack away, and play outside or something. Your parents are in your life to guide, protect, and provide for you. They are not your enemies so don't treat them that way.
Treasure the time you spend with your grandparents. They will not be on the earth forever. When they speak, listen. Listen to their stories, listen to their wisdom, and listen to the lessons they have learned. They've obviously accumulated some sound advice from the years they've spent here so you would be wise to listen and learn. Gather recipes and parenting tips from your grandmothers and working tips from your grandfathers. Watch their favorite shows with them even though you may not be interested in the History Channel. Set aside time to call them or pay a visit. Because they live so close to you, it can be easy to take them for granted. Don't. Your grandparents are a blessing; treasure them.
It's okay to grow up. The fact is, this is just a part of life. Time does not stop, and you will never be younger than you are now. People will tell you not to wish your life away, and really, you shouldn't, but it's okay to grow up. You must. Take a steady pace, but don't resent or reject it. Always be willing to accept help or ask for it, but do things for yourself as you are able. Simply doing your own laundry works. You cannot expect to be pampered or nurtured your entire life. One day, hopefully, you will be doing the nurturing. You will have kids to take care of, and they must learn from your example. So begin now. Begin learning how to take care of yourself and be responsible. Begin growing up before it hits you.
And finally, don’t worry. Life will get better. You cannot change your circumstances, but you can change your perspective. Be positive, and always find something to learn from the situation. Trust me. There is always something to learn. While you’re at it, seek God in all things. No matter how far you think you have run from Him, He is right behind you. Loving you, reaching for you, protecting you, providing for you.
With your best interest in mind,
Your Future Self
