Listen to Me

Dear Teen-aged Me,

This is you in your 49th year, five months short of your 50th. I am sure that in itself freaks you out since you thought 30 years was "old." I am going to give you some life tips; keep this list close to you at all times. Do not stray from it and you should do okay:

• Accept what you look like & love yourself. Everybody is different for a reason
• Looks are fleeting so don't worry about being "cute" or "pretty". What will make you awesome is your attitude, your sense of humor, your kind heart, and your smile. Looks may get you into the room, but common sense keeps you in there.
• Besides, the girls that you think are 'all that' become 'not so pretty & slim' later in your life. You will smile about that inside :-)
• NEVER try to 'fit in.' If it's not for you the way you are then walk away
• Stay away from gossipers. If they gossip to & with you; they will surely gossip about you
• Don't ever EVEN think of getting the gap in your teeth closed w/braces. You will find out that it is truly part of what makes you you
• Take your schooling as far as you can. Continue to learn as much as you can forever. Always strive to learn something new, daily, even if it's only a new word. Learn!

• Try to keep the self-esteem your family instilled in you. Without it, you will miss out, misuse, mistake, & make bad judgments
• DO. NOT fall into the "guy trap" of being with every guy just because he wants to be with you. Choose for yourself & be very selective & careful. You are much more precious than that
• If you feel pressured to have sex. Don't. You'll thank yourself later.
• DO. NOT confuse sex with love. They are the polar opposites of each other. You may feel extremely special at that time, but you may get your heart broken beyond repair
• No matter what type of employment you have, do it like you love it, and be the best at it. You will be working for God, not man
• Always be able to take care of yourself financially.
• Always have a goal and work toward it, constantly
• Always have a hobby and enjoy it, constantly
• Always believe the best is yet to come
• If you're not happy about something, change it, especially in your relationship(s)
• Don't EVER stay with a guy who hits you, even once. EVER!
• If you're going to have children, marry their father FIRST
• If you're going to marry, talk to your pastor to make sure you guys are on the same page



• Keep God first and foremost @ the helm of your life. Remember how you loved Sunday school? Keep loving it
• Always think and speak positive thoughts & words
• Always remember how beautiful & perfectly made you are
• Stay close to your family; they're really all you have
• That gut feeling in your belly & that little voice in your head? Listen to them. It will make all the difference in the "whats/who's & where's in your life
• Take chances & risks for good things no matter how nervous it might make you; ships are safe in the harbor, but that's not what ships were made for
• Lastly, listen to your mother with the fierceness. She really DOES know everything. She wasn't born your mother; she was a teenager just like you.

Namaste.