A Letter To Me

I see a lot of people writing letters to their younger selves now. They say all the things they wish they had known back then. I’m certainly no different than anyone else. I look back and wish I had done things differently or just that I had known more, so I’m going to do exactly that today. You can’t go back to the past, but I think it’s important to look back occasionally so you can learn what to do in the future.

Dear, Mitch

You’re fourteen right now. For you, the most important things in the world are football and video games. You’re not bad at those things either, but there’s so much more to life than them. You don’t work well with others, you don’t put much stock in education, and you don’t care as much as you should about the family you have. Someday that’ll all change, though. Your brain will be the key to making money, unlocking passions you didn’t even know you had, and finding the people who were such a pain before. Protect and nurture that brain. Learn something new every day. It doesn’t have to be behind a desk or done in a traditional way, but every skill you acquire will make you better.

Secondly, treasure the people in your life, and never leave anything unsaid. Someday you’re going to be sitting by a hospital bed of a loved one thinking about everything you should have said. You’ll say those things to give yourself some peace, but by then, they won’t actually be able to hear you. Say it now. There’s not always going to be a tomorrow. It sounds cliché, but it’s really true. If you love or appreciate someone, the best thing is always to let them know.

Third, follow your passions. People are going to try to get you to be practical about everything in your life, and that’s their job. They only want what’s best for you, but you grow from your passions. Make mistakes, explore dreams, and find new skills that you never knew you could have. It’ll be more painful when you realize some dreams are just out of your reach, but for the dreams that come true, it’ll make all the effort and long nights worth it. Life as a dreamer means feeling more pain but also so much more satisfaction. It’s shooting for the moon and just missing. The fall hurts, but you sure get a better view of the stars than most people.

Fourth, don’t ever give people your time when they don’t value you. In your life, you’re going to meet what you think are friends and in some cases even more than that. They won’t be real, though. They’re using you. Keep out a watchful eye for people who only want to steal your joy. There are many out there who only take, but I also have a word of warning. When you find those people and they inevitably hurt you, don’t let it shape you into a person who trusts no one. I’ve spent too much of my life afraid of being hurt because of what someone said or did to me. I’ve judged harshly based on experience, and it has saved me a lot of hurt, but it also robbed me of what could’ve been great experiences. Don’t stop trusting, but see the people in front of you.

Finally, and most importantly, give the people who want to love you a chance. You’ll come in contact with people in your life who you think don’t stack up to your ideal friend or mate. Maybe they don’t, or maybe you just don’t feel what you think you should at the time. Here’s the thing, though. There are so many people out there who want to tear you down. Don’t ever push someone out of your life who can build you up. Give that friend a chance, and date that girl that you don’t feel anything for yet. Some of the greatest things and people in your life are going to come from situations that you weren’t feeling at the time. Some of your biggest regrets will revolve around the chances you didn’t give people, too. You’ll always wonder what if. It’s not a good feeling, and it’s going to take you about twenty-five years to realize what you’re doing. Don’t let that happen.

I’ve said a lot of things you need to avoid or that you’re going to do wrong. You must be thinking that life is going to be a list of mistakes you made by twenty-seven, but I’m telling you it’s not. Right now you’re the typical depressed fourteen year old. You don’t feel good enough in so many areas. You’re afraid of being alone, unsuccessful, and of growing up to live the same boring life you see with everyone else. Here’s the good news. You make mistakes, but there are so many good things in your future. You have a house in a neighborhood you used to love as a teenager, you have a car you love, great people in your life, and you’re doing something that you never dreamed was possible. You’re a success, and your faith is growing a little stronger every day. Even better, most of those mistakes you made are still fixable. That’s what you never realized. It’s never too late to follow a dream, call up someone you didn’t give the time of day and apologize, or to cut someone out of your life who steals your joy. You make it in the future, so remember this one thing if you don’t get anything else out of this letter. Instead of being depressed and dreading your future, celebrate who you are today and who you will be down the line. Life is truly what we make it with a few curveballs on the way, and you get hit by a few of them, but you learn to knock more than a few of them out of the park.

Sincerely,

Your Future

P.S. Your first kiss happens soon, so stop worrying about it all the time. :)