An open letter to my more immature self

Dear younger self,

I thought I would write a list in hopes you might read it, and maybe it will help guide you throughout the rest of your life. I don’t claim to know everything, but what I do know is that about 80 percent of what you think you know, is incorrect.

1. Have self-confidence. I know you moved around a lot and it has contributed to your low self-esteem and shyness. You have mastered the art of “blending in,” but trust me when I say this, you won’t be this shy girl forever. Break out of that shell now and realize you are a good person with a kind heart. Take risks and put yourself out there. It will all turn out OK.

2. In third grade, rethink walking with your friend to her mom’s office that is on that six-lane road in Tucson. When you are late getting home, Mom will find you and the end result will be one you remember for the rest of your life.

3. Don’t tether your bicycle to your friends with a rope. It sounds like great fun at first until you fall off and have your own bike run you over giving you a bloody nose.

4. When you make the decision to skip school don’t do it. Once again, Mom always finds out, each and every time.

5. Get better grades. You are a smart person. Quit being lazy and study. There is no excuse for just sliding through school with no effort.

6. That party this weekend you just found out about (or any party for that matter), is really not worth it. All you do is put yourself into potentially compromising, dangerous and unwanted circumstances you may not be able to get out of.

7. Make sure your car is in park before hopping out to throw something away. It’s harder to chase down than you think it might be, especially after it runs over your foot. (Do you see a trend here?)

8. If you are employed, do the best you can at that job. I don’t care if it is cleaning toilets, cutting lawns or working as a CEO in a Fortune 500 company. Any job worth having is a job worth doing to the best of your ability.

9. Don’t judge people by the way they look. First off, it’s an unfair thing to do, and everyone has the right to be an individual. You will be judged plenty of times in your life and you don’t like it at all. Second, you will be surprised how many people you end up actually liking, getting to know and calling your friends.

10. When you have them, love your children with everything you have, hug them daily and tell them you love them, because they grow up all too fast, and you will even miss the tantrums (this is a promise).

11. Let everyone you care about know how you feel about them. You will realize that life is short, and one day you may not have that chance to tell someone how much you really do care.

Essentially, the bottom line is be a good person. Help people, smile and don’t let the rough times change who you are. Although it may not seem like it at times, you will make it through each and every one of them. Sometimes it just takes a little persistence.