Dear Younger Self,

Let me start off by saying that I'm proud of the person you are. Your kindness, your innocence, your ability to see the good in people; these are all qualities that don't seem important now, but they are crucial for the future. I'm proud of how hard you work and your accomplishments. I know you're not as proud of them as I am, though. When you accomplish one task, you immediately set your eyes on the next goal. You are never satisfied. I urge you to take a step back and think of everything you've done and the opportunities you have to be outstanding. Gain some confidence; it will make things so much easier in the future.

One of the most important things I need to tell you right now is that you can't please everyone. You are going to try to because you find comfort in making the people around you happy, but you need to keep your well-being in mind, too. You simply can't please everyone, despite your best efforts. Think about what's going to make you glow, what's going to make you a better person, and who's important enough in your life to try and please.

Speaking of the people in your life, the individuals who you think are your whole world right now aren't going to be around forever. Your best friend isn't going to be in your life for as long as you think she is, and people tend to come and go in your life like waves kissing the shore. While these people individually influence you differently, they still leave your life as fast as they came. I know you're searching for a best friend who cares about you as much as you care about them, but that's not going to happen for a few more years. Let me tell you something that I've learned recently: you are someone who is destined to touch a multitude of people's lives. Keep spreading your positivity and kindness to anyone and everyone, and you will meet people who make you feel as though you're the sun.

Empathy is going to become a big word in your life. You are a special type of person who feels every type of emotion like rain pounding on a window during a summer storm. Happiness, sadness anger; you feel emotions with your entire heart, or you don't feel anything at all. It's confusing right now, but you learn to channel those emotions and begin to see yourself and everyone around you in a whole new light. That's why kindness and integrity is crucial in your life. You don't have any idea what people are going through around you, and sometimes that tears away at you. Offer kindness and a gentle touch, and you will change someone's life for the better.

It might be difficult to realize now, but the things that you think are vitally important right now truly don't matter as much as you think they do. Those fifteen Webkinz that you made mom buy last week; you're not going to play with them in six months. The DS games that you would cry and beg for and you had to have; I don't even know where our DS is now. While these things do make your life more enjoyable, I'm going to tell you right now that the most important thing you have in your life is your family. Your mom, dad, and little brother are going to be the people you can count on for every aspect of your life. Trust me, when you count the things you're thankful for in your prayers tonight, you need to count them twice. Work hard for them, make them proud, and always keep your promises.

There's going to be a point in time when you realize the world is a hard place, and you're going to want to give up on your kindness and loyalty to others. Whatever you do, don't give that up. Understand that there is so much beauty in the world that you have the ability to discover. Your art, your sports, your friends and family; these are your anchors that hold you in place and keep you from drifting off into the unknown. Remember those anchors, and keep a steady path. You were born to be someone someday, young one. Let's make us proud.

Always,

Your Older Self