When you are young, all you do is wish you can grow up and see the world while becoming whatever or whoever you want. However, now that I am on my way to being an adult, there are so many things I wish I could have told a younger me. There are so many moments in a child's life that older people around them try to teach them something significant, usually after learning the hard way. People assume that if they imprint these lessons into a young child's mind hard enough, maybe it will save them trouble as they age. But at the ripe old age of 7 none of that seems to matter. Nothing can get you down and you've probably never even heard of the term disappointed, unless of course your mom was telling you how disappointed in you she was because you kicked your brother for the third time today. Nevertheless, maybe our younger selves wouldn't listen but I have a feeling that if we could write ourselves a letter and ship it off to the past it would sound a bit like this:
Dear me,
If you are seven right now you are probably in 2nd grade and hardcore struggling with cursive. Well, let me tell you, no matter how many times your teacher tells you that cursive is essential to life you will never use it, not in high school, not in college. It probably seems like your life is going to END because you can’t perfect that uppercase G. Well let me tell you, in the grand scheme of things, that problem you’re having is so much littler than it seems. That fight you are having over who sat with who on the school bus? Definitely won’t matter by tomorrow. As you grow up you will encounter so many things that seem like they are the “be all, end all”. The quicker you learn the saying that “Life goes on” the easier it will be to get through these situations. Don’t get me wrong, some things will change you as a person, they will alter how you see things. But at the end of every situation is a lesson. To some degree, positive will come out of every bad situation and that’s so important to remember. It takes struggle to know who you are and what you’re made of. If life never got tough, you would never be tested. I hate being tested as much as the next guy, but occasionally it’s necessary.
Right now your teachers, parents, and friends have your best interest in mind. If things turn out well, they will as you grow too. Let me tell you though, every person you come in contact with will not. Not everyone will care when you cry, when you feel like your world has stopped spinning, or even when you’re at your best. You will meet people who seem to have a more permanent presence. They will be disguised as best friends and significant others. They come into your life and teach you about the person you want to become. But all at once, they will take it away and leave you lost. They won't care how bad it hurts or what was in the past. I'd love to tell you that these people are avoidable but that isn't the case. You’re going to meet hundreds of people just by the time you turn 16. It is so significant to remember that not everyone is permanent. Some people are sent into your life to teach you something. Despite the pain they may cause, you’ll thank them when you come out better than before.
Enough with all the negative though, there is so much to look forward to and be thankful for. You probably did just get finished kicking your brother and calling your mom to blame him. Believe me, you’ll be thankful for pesky siblings someday. Family won’t walk out when everyone else does. As much as going to school seems like a chore, it won’t always be that way. It’ll be a time to be with friends you will be inseparable with. Keep those friends close. They saw you grow and know where you come from. Someday you will need someone who understands why you are who you are. And the most important thing I can tell you. And I mean if there is one thing to take out of this letter: EAT ICE CREAM NOW, while you’re young. Eat as much as possible while you still can. You’re too young to be worried about what a carb is, what your waist looks like. Enjoy everything, try as much as possible. You will only regret the things you don’t do. Do everything.
