You were born into world as a blank canvas. I have done my best in these 18 years to fill your heart with love, your mind with strength, and your hand with tools to succeed in life. Now the ball’s in your court to give back to your family and community. And to continue the process of becoming the best version of yourself.
Change is the law of life. We are all either evolving in response to newer, better information or becoming more fixed in our old ways. Have the humility to admit that you are wrong and be open to new possibilities. Remember: when you stop being teachable, you stop progressing.
We need people to thrive, and people need us. Surround yourself with the right ones. As a wise philosopher once said, avoid those people who degrade you back towards disease and death. Instead, choose people with love in their hearts, and people who strive after the good. Remember: the company you keep will have a profound impact on your character.
Avoid the pitfalls of consumerism. Consumer culture will attempt to create artificial needs and insecurities in your mind in order to turn a profit. Ignore them. Be frugal with yourself because at the end of the day you need very little to survive. Use any extra money you accumulate to bless your family and loved ones. Remember: those secure in their identity do not need material status symbols to validate themselves.
Stay in the will of God at all times. Seek Him first, and strive to fulfill the golden rule: to treat others the way you want to be treated. How we treat others always comes back to us one way or another. And it has a profound impact on the health of our world. Remember: love God and love others, and you will never have anything to be afraid of.
You have great potential for good inside of you, but also great potential for bad. Your destiny will be determined by the choices you make. To love or to fear. To love or to hate. To be disciplined or to be negligent. To stand for what you know is right or to compromise. To give up or to keep fighting. Choose wisely, because life is all about choices.
Love,
Dad
