Letter to My High School Self

Today I'm joining Andrea and a whole lot of other bloggers for her Show and Tell Tuesday link-up, where the prompt is... 

Share advice for your high school self.

So in true Elisabeth writing form, I decided to write a letter to myself back in High School.

Dear High School Version of Me, 

I'd love to tell you that life gets easier after high school. But the truth is, it doesn't. Yes, good things happen. But so do bad things. Your life takes a few twists and turns and even a few loop-de-loops. But you know what? All in all, I'd say it's a good life. So, back to the point of this letter. Want to hear some advice? 

Quit worrying so much about what other people think. Who cares that you're not the most fashionable or the one with the highest GPA. You're still beautiful and you're still smart. 

Listen to Mom and Dad. They actually do know what they're talking about. I know that they seem goofy sometimes. But they're pretty stinkin' smart and have been in your shoes before. 

And while we're on the subject of Mom and Dad, spend as much time as possible with them. Dad will only be around another 12 years after graduation. You'll feel the most awfully gut-wrenching pain ever the day you say your forever goodbye to him. And Mom? Well she'll still be there, but you'll have moved overseas. So you won't get to see her as often. And trust me, you'll miss being in the house with her more than you could ever imagine. 

Ok, on to other things...

Pick the right classes. You're going to struggle with college at first. Going from such a tiny high school straight to college will be difficult at first. Don't give up, though. You'll make it through with your head held high, and end up with a Bachelor's and a Master's in 10 years. And yes, that's a longer time than you'd prefer, but that's okay. ...because you did it almost entirely by yourself! 

Make time for friends. You'll stay in touch with friends from high school. ...some more than others. But you have to put forth the effort. It's so worth it. So do it.

Enjoy your free time. It won't be long before you have to start working 40 hours a week to help you get through college. And then after that, when you start teaching, you'll be working well over 40 each week. You'll love your work. But free time won't be as common. Neither will sleeping late and being lazy all day on your "off" days. So enjoy your freedom while you can.

Dream big. You are a dreamer. You'll accomplish some of your dreams. Some you may not. But never ever stop dreaming. One day when you're 31, you'll be working in your school's office over the summer, and in a meeting, you'll tell your school's director that you realize you're a big dreamer and probably need to reign in your dreams a bit. But thankfully, this man will tell you that's crazy talk and that we all need to dream big. 

Pay attention to the little things. Sure the big things are great. But it's the seemingly little things that often get overlooked and at the same time, can often mean the most. Stop and smell the roses, so to speak. Don't get so busy and overloaded and stressed that you miss the good things in life.

And last, but most certainly not least...

Draw close to your Savior. You'll be tested a lot over the years. You'll face trials and temptations. You'll face decisions that are so far out of your control and your grasp. The only way you'll make it is by clinging to your Savior and the promises He's given. Study His Word. Commit it to memory. You'll be surprised how often it'll come back to you at just the needed moment.

Sincerely, 
Your 31 Year Old (and no that's not old) Future Self