I was sitting, half lying, on the couch reading tonight and randomly thought to myself "things seem just like they were when I was sixteen." Yeah they sorta do in the sense that I was reading in that same half sitting half lying position that's really no good for my back, however, in just about every other aspect they are vastly different. What has changed and where I am going with it?
I always find it interesting, and sometimes horrifying or very amusing, to think about who I was several years ago. What I thought I knew that I really didn't, how good I thought I was at things, my mental maturity, how independent I thought I was, how I thought I worked so hard, etc. Haha! If only I knew what was ahead!
Life is like a really really long road trip. Road trip? I love road trips! The road trip we call 'Life' isn't any sort of vacation road trip though. Imagine a really long road through the middle of nowhere and you are going to drive down it with no map or GPS, just your Road Trip 101 handbook and some faith that you'll make it safely. That's more like the road trip we are on. Now think several years down the road when you have learned a whole lot about surviving, and even enjoying, this crazy trip. What advise would you give to yourself when you where setting out on the very first miles of the road? I know there are several things I would tell myself.
Number 1: Embrace who you are and how God has made you. I believe that one of the most common struggles for young people is to accept themselves for who they are. For a long time I didn't and I really wish I had. The key I found to accepting who I am was to see myself as God sees me, His beautiful, precious daughter. When I was able to view myself this way it opened the doors for me to be a stronger testimony and witness for Jesus.
Number 2: Make the most of your education. I think of how much farther ahead I would be if I had really poured myself into my education, practiced my violin more, been eager to learn instead of assuming I already knew enough, and looked at how much I could learn instead of how much I already knew. I was once told "the more you know, the more you know how little you know." This is more true than I ever imagined it could be. As I moved on in life and learned more I have begun to realize how little I really know. Not everyone has the opportunity to graduate high school and go to college. Remember this and take each opportunity you have to learn something and make the most of it!
Number 3: Don't take anything for granted. Going through life it is far to easy to take for granted things like health, friends, having money for your wants (not just needs), etc. All those things can be gone in a moment though. Have you ever realized how little it takes to shake your world? I have on more than one occasion. For example, one day my dad woke up fine, went to work, came home did some work around the house, and started having back pain. Nothing terribly unusual. The next morning I woke up to a note from mom saying she had taken Dad to the ER because it the pain was so bad. Turns out he had cancer and that trip to the ER turned into several days in the hospital and a journey through cancer treatment and recovery that has changed countless things in the past three years. Its hard to remember sometimes how things use to be. I've learned that you never know when things will change, so don't take anything for granted. Ever.
Number 4: Take advantage of the time you have with you family. We have all had fights and arguments with a family member. Maybe it was a parent, maybe a brother or sister, but we have all been there. Its easy to think about how much better things would be if you didn't have to share a bedroom or didn't have mom or dad asking when you would be home, where you were going to be, who you would be with, etc. In reality though, while these things can be annoying at times, make the most of them because you won't always have your parents there to "bug" you. Some day it will just be you. And the little brother or sister that you have to share a room with not always live with you. As my siblings and I have gotten older the times we get to spend with each other have become fewer and farther between. We live on opposite sides of the country from each other and might only see one another once or twice in a year. I wish that I had seen the value in the relationships I have with my siblings before I move away. Get close to your siblings and be best friends with them, I promise, you will not regret it!
Number 5: Ask for advice. Just do it. When you aren't sure about something, or even if you are, still get another opinion. God tells us that "in the multitude of counselors there is safety." Want to avoid problems before they get to you? Ask someone for advice and take it to heart. It will save you time, money, heartbreak, and so much else.
Number 6: Live fearlessly and selflessly. Don't worry about what others say about you, stand up for what is right, and offer a kind and loving hand to others.
Number 7: Live, don't just exist. Don't get caught in a rut, strive to walk the mountain ridge and sore through the sky!
Number 8: Be the person for others that you wanted but never had in your life.
Number 9: Trust in the Lord. He is the one who's hand is in and over everything and He cares about us more than we have the ability to comprehend.
Number 10: Enjoy life. Watch the sunsets, stare at the starts, and laugh at the little things.
Lovingly,
Your Sister
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