A letter to my sixteen year old self

A dear friend of mine, who I have known literally since birth, writes a wonderful blog. A few weeks ago, she posted a letter she wrote to herself at sixteen. To read more about the concept and her letter, you may find it here.

http://flowersandkittens.blogspot.com/2012/01/letter-to-my-sixteen-year-old-self.html

After reading it, I thought, "Now that's an idea." After thinking about what I would say to myself nearly fifteen years ago, I realized there is no way I would post it.

If you can imagine or if you knew me at sixteen, I don't want to be that transparent. Yikes!

But after seriously considering it, I came to the realization, for my kids sake, that I should do it.

Be warned.



Mollye,

I understand that times and circumstances are not what you think they should be, but you need to accept that this is the hand that you have been dealt. Don't worry. Things are unfolding at a delicate pace, so that when the time comes, the One who has been trying to get your attention will receive the glory. Your testimony will be awesome, and yes, you will give it.

So let me address a few particulars with you. I'm going to ask that you read until the end. And I'm thinking that its a good thing this is a letter, because you will not be able to interrupt or argue.

It can be a great thing how opinionated you are, but you are not there yet. Right now, you are extremely critical. Critical of yourself. Critical of others. These things are not for you to judge. And it's important that you understand that some things are none of your business and have nothing to do with you, even if you are told differently.

That being said, you should be kinder to everyone, especially those who you don't consider your friends. Years later, when you see people you were not particularly friendly to, you are going to be ashamed and will find yourself compelled to tell them you are not the same person you were in high school. You are missing out on some great people.

Great friends are better in quality than quantity. Not everyone who you think is your friend truly is. And some people are your friends for all the wrong reasons. You know this already, but chose to ignore it. Enjoy those who enjoy you for you, not for who they think you are.

You've got a lot to learn, so stop acting like you know everything. You're sixteen, not sixty. If you are not learning, your losing. And history is more important than you think.

That boy that broke your heart, get over him. You'll save yourself a lot of heartache if you simply appreciate the boy that's standing in front of your face. You can't really think that he's playing hooky from school to watch movies with you since you're sick just because he's a friend. He's head over heals, and you're ridiculous for not realizing.

Get out of the tanning bed. It's not that important. Not now. Not ever.

And while this probably seems like a lot of things are "wrong" with you, nothing is. You're like most other girls your age. Except that your different. And that's okay.