1. Life is good. Not always, but mostly. And when it
is not so good, be assured it will get better.
2. It’s a good thing that we don’t know everything
that’s going to happen to us. If I had known all the
pains and heartaches I would encounter in life, even amidst the joys and victories, it would surely
have been too much to bear.
3. If you tend to be shy, try your best to overcome
it. Take it a step at a time, but work at it. It is a gift to
get to know new people, especially those who are
different from you in some way, culturally, ethnically, religiously. Pushing yourself out of your
comfort zone may be painful for a time, but the
benefits are everlasting.
4. Your hard work in school will be worth it. But
come on, don’t kill yourself.
5. It may not be easy to stand up and speak out for what’s important to you, but you will be amazed
how empowering, and important, it can be.
6. Keep exercise, eating well, and healthy living in
balance. Schedule rest and recreation regularly. The
older you get, the more you’ll understand why.
7. Accept yourself as God made you. I spent too many years fighting this battle and it took a long
time to surrender, and by that time it carried
extremely painful ramifications. God does not make
mistakes.
8. You are not the only person in the world who
feels this way, whatever “this way” is that you’re feeling. See if you can connect with some others so
you can support each other.
9. You are terrific just as you are. But that doesn’t
mean you shouldn’t work on your rough edges
and areas of ignorance and inexperience.
10. You are on a journey, which means things will change. Even important things will change,
sometimes shockingly. But it is a nevertheless a
good journey, and it’s worth every step.
11. There is no one person in the whole world who
is the one-and-only person God has selected for
you to be with forever. So don’t waste time thinking you have to search for that one ideal person. Open
yourself up, be patient, and it will all work out.
12. When you do connect deeply with one person,
be serious about it. Work at it. Be open and honest
with your significant other. It is a rare and
wondrous thing to be in relationship, so make every effort to preserve and improve and deepen it.
13. But sometimes, for any number of reasons, it is
time to move on, for your sake or theirs, or both.
Recognize this.
14. If you are alone, you won’t always be, unless
you don’t make any effort otherwise. Make the effort.
15. Your parents truly love you and want the best
for you. Listen to them. Trust them. Love them.
Honor them. But realize you will soon be on your
own, and that’s a good thing.
16. Stop watching so much TV. Read more. 17. Work hard and carefully to figure out a career
you will love. This will involve trying different
things, new things.
18. Try not to be so gullible. Trust, but verify — with
independent, objective sources, not mouthpieces
for particular viewpoints or axes to grind. 19. Children are a blessing and a joy. Just keep in
mind that they will break your heart and scare you
to death more times than you could ever imagine.
20. The church (or any religious configuration) is
composed of human beings, and so it possesses
many human failings, which often reflect your own. Surrender to this.
21. Avoid people with closed minds, who tend to
be negative.
22. You will have a tendency toward complacency.
Resist this.
23. Be curious. Try new things. Strive for something that stretches you. Of course, there’s a limit to this,
so be careful.
24. Travel as much as you can, especially to distant
places. This will add incredible dimension to your
life.
25. Sing more. And if you’re not that good at it, join a choir or take some lessons. This life needs all the
music it can get.
26. Do something artistic. In fact, try lots of different
things in different media. There is something
primally meaningful and life giving about creating a
thing of beauty. 27. Engage in self-reflection, but don’t let it become
self-deception. Sometimes you will need to talk
things over with a trusted counselor.
28. Don’t ruminate on how others have hurt you.
Feel your feelings, but let them slip away. Move on.
29. Forgive. Forgive. And forgive again. You may never forget, but for your own sake, forgive. And
try to forget.
30. And don’t forget to forgive yourself.
31. Be grateful. Gratitude leads to more happiness
and wellbeing.
32. Bless others. Be a positive influence in any way you can. Even simple little helpful acts can make
others — and you — much happier.
33. Don’t take yourself so seriously all the time.
Laugh. Often. Laugh from your belly whenever
possible, letting the tears run down your cheeks.
34. You can’t pray too much. 35. Sometimes bad things happen to good people.
Sometimes very bad things happen to very good
people.
36. There are some people in your life you will
never understand, and maybe not even like. Make
the best of it. But if you realize they are harming you, avoid them. Don’t let them suck the air out of
your spirit.
37. Nurture an active interest in public affairs and
the common good. Work at whatever level you can
to make your community and nation a better place.
But be careful that you don’t let politics with its vitriolic ineffectiveness sidetrack you from the
bigger picture.
38. Write. It will be difficult to find the time and
energy at times, but it is a vital creative pursuit.
39. Technology is cool and can help you do fun
and interesting things. But keep it in perspective; don’t let it consume you. Life in the real world is far
more meaningful and important. And fun.
40. Don’t be afraid to tell someone you love him or
her, as long as you really do.
41. Some people will give you good advice; listen to
them. Others don’t know what they’re talking about; learn to distinguish between the two. You
will know in your gut when others’ advice is sound.
42. You are just one infinitesimal speck of existence
in the vast canvas of reality. Realize that. At the
same time, God values you infinitely, and so should
you. 43. Good things in life take a long time.
44. Learn from your mistakes. And live so that
someday you won’t have to wish you could tell
your younger self anything.
45. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is
good. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER
SELF?
NOTE: This is a copied article. I do not know who wrote this, I came across it online.
