September Challenge Day #7--If you could write a letter and send it to yourself when you were younger, what would you say?

Dear Me,

      Even though you are not popular in the high school sense, you have always enjoyed life and had tons of fun with friends.  Keep up the good work!  Your friends will always be there to encourage you, to laugh with you, to listen, and to lean on.  Never take your friends for granted.  Even though the faces and names of your friends may change over time they will always and forever remain a huge part of your life.

      Learn how to budget and spend your money wisely.  Debt is a hungry monster that never seems to get satisfied.  Learn to save for important things, and delay gratification.  Sometimes the anticipation of getting something is even better than the actual possession.

      Stick with a college and get your degree no matter how hard it is or how long it takes.  Once you have a degree it is yours forever!  Even if you don’t use your degree immediately in your employment, you will have it when you need it.

      Always following the crowd, especially when they are doing something dangerous or stupid, isn’t worth it!  Walking as close to the edge of danger while still keeping one foot on the safe side is just not worth it!  Falling off the cliff not only hurts you but also those who love you, and it may take a long time to repair the damage.

      It is okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them.  If you are a better person after having made the mistakes, don’t beat yourself up about it.  Forgive yourself and move on.

      On the subject of forgiveness:  remember that others make mistakes too!  Holding a grudge or remaining angry only hurts you.  It keeps you from being truly happy.

      You are a Child of God.  You have a divine destiny.  You have the right to have the Holy Ghost with you to help you make wise choices and to give you comfort when you are struggling.  Develop a close relationship with God and Jesus Christ, pray to them, study their words, live their commandments.  It may not seem as “fun and exciting” in the moment, but it will bring you true and lasting joy, not just for a minute but for every day of your life.

      Enjoy your family!  They are terrific!

Love,

Your older and hopefully wiser self.