Dear Son.
There are many, many things I should teach you. Most of them I haven’t even thought of.
The most competitive you should be with any person is with yourself only. Never mind what anyone else is doing. Challenge yourself and always set new goals.
There is no such thing as cool, or uncool…. Some of the coolest people were horrible “nerds” in school, and vice versa! It’s all relative. Be patient with people’s differences. You are who you’re supposed to be. Don’t try to be someone else.
Whether you are straight or gay, respect the one you’re with. Respect is a big word and even some adults don’t understand it, although they’ll fool you and say that they do. They are also fooling themselves. The dictionary defines it:
“re·spect [ri-spekt]
noun
1.a particular, detail, or point (usually preceded by in ): to differ in some respect.
2.relation or reference: inquiries with respect to a route.
3.esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability: I have great respect for her judgment.
4.deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment: respect for a suspect’s right to counsel; to show respect for the flag; respect for the elderly.
5.the condition of being esteemed or honored: to be held in respect.”
If you learn to respect yourself, it won’t be hard to respect others.
It’s also about being a partnership. You and your love, should you find one of your soul-mates in this big, wide world, are partners. It should be 50/50. There should be a give and take on both sides. Sometimes you will feel so passionately about each other or something that you will fight. Fighting is healthy as long as it is about arguing, debate, and communication. Sometimes you will both be right, sometimes you will both be wrong. Say sorry and hug it out afterwards. If you are meant for each other you won’t stay mad long enough for it to matter. There should be a give and take with every other aspect too. With chores, with family obligations, with errands…everything! When you find that someone, always communicate the truth. If they are your soul-mate you will be able to be your true self, no holds barred, no censorship of yourself. You will want to do things for them.
Don’t burn bridges. That guy you served on your shift at your first job may be your boss some day, or your ticket to a place you wanna go. I read this wonderful quote the other day, “Being nice to someone you dislike doesn’t mean you’re a fake. It means you are mature enough to tolerate your dislike for them.”
Never let your fitness go. Be active in some way. It feeds the brain and the soul. Your body is a beautiful machine.
Own your emotions, but don’t let them own you. Don’t be destructive or self-destructive based on a bad or depressed mood. Write them down, punch a pillow, go for a run, draw a picture, call a friend, cry. It’s okay to have bad moods or feel disappointed, and it’s bound to happen. Work it out tho, don’t let it quietly consume you. These emotions help us in their own way so use them to grow. That sounds corny, and I know it sounds like crap, but it’s so true.
Travel. See the world through many eyes. Be cautious but not too cautious. You only live once, so take risks.
That’s all I can say for now. I know I’ve forgotten a million things but if I remember them I may add a new post to extend this one.
Always remember that your parents love you.
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