Dear Judi

It's StoryADay Saturday, and the writing prompt for May 10th was a letter-writing prompt: "Write a letter to your 14-year-old self. Address that young person’s fears, concerns, questions, and insecurities. Offer reassurance based on what you now know as an adult." How many of us have imagined going back in time, either to talk some sense into a misguided youth or enjoy the things we had at that age in light of the knowledge we have now? 

Dear Judi

Dear Judi,

     Should I have just said, "Hey!"? I know how you like to keep things casual. Not much formality or intimacy. Anyway, I don't want to simply drop a bunch of advice on you. You know, like, don't smoke, eat right, choose good friends, spend money wisely. I mean it is all good advice, but you're not going to listen anyway, and maybe if I can offer you a better foundation, wiser choices will follow naturally. So, here goes...

     Let's talk about your feelings. I know how you allow your feelings to guide you. You feel as though you have to please everyone, but that's because you're scared of being alone. You feel as though you have to make sure everyone is okay, but that's because you don't like tension. You feel as though your best has to be better than everyone else's best because of what you've been up against. And in this world, that may be kind of true. But you're following your feelings on a road that you can't stay on. You will see unhappy people all along the way, and your feelings will tell you that you must keep going, or face responsibility for their unhappiness; things will get uncomfortable. You will see people struggling all along the way. Your feelings will tell you that you must keep going or face responsibility for their failure; they won't like you anymore. You will see people all along the way who are better, smarter, richer, prettier, faster. Your feelings will tell you that you have to keep striving to be better than everyone because you aren't like the others; you are damaged. And your feelings will lie. You will get tired. You will need to stop and refuel.

     So, can I make a suggestion? Search for truth instead of companionship. Search for truth instead of peace. Search for truth instead of measuring yourself against what everyone else is doing. When you allow truth to guide you, it will open up doors for you, give you serenity, and forge real, everlasting relationships. 

     And, one last thing. Miss Williamson and Mr. Walton are really good teachers. Take better notes (and not that crazy notehand stuff -- I can't read that!). And don't throw them out after the final exam, we're gonna want them later.

Love,     

Me