Letter to my Future Children
Sep. 19th, 2015 06:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
grimrose_eilwynnThis was an interesting writing exercise in my American Lit class and I thought I'd relay what I put down:
To My Children:
I will start by warning you of something. Childhood and adulthood can and should be wonderful, but the part in between is often rather painful. In other words, it gets better.
I would next say that one of the most important survival skills in life is to be a keen observer of people. If we see people as they really are -- both the good and the bad -- then we won't be disappointed by them, or try to make them into something they are not.
And that's another thing. Never walk into a relationship thinking you'll change the other person. People can only change if they themselves truly want to.
On a related note, I have found in my experience that you cannot be any happier or healthier than the people you surround yourself with. You cannot be happy and healthy enough for two people. That's not how it works.
Surround yourself with people who make you feel good. People who accept and like you just the way you are, and don't judge you or try to change you or force false standards on you.
Avoid the elitists -- the people who say, "You have to be this, or you're not really this." Also avoid the people who bash what you like, who hurt you with words even if they don't mean to, or who don't value you and your time.
Above all, be happy. You don't like your job? Quit and live with your parents until you find a new one. Don't want to go to college? Try a technical school. Want to travel? Find a way to do that. Not happy in your relationship? Talk to the other person about that. If they won't listen, walk.
Health is part of happiness. If something's going wrong, seek out a health specialist. Not just anyone, but someone who finds your concerns valid and who won't try to trivialize your experiences.
Be happy, healthy & free.
To My Children:
I will start by warning you of something. Childhood and adulthood can and should be wonderful, but the part in between is often rather painful. In other words, it gets better.
I would next say that one of the most important survival skills in life is to be a keen observer of people. If we see people as they really are -- both the good and the bad -- then we won't be disappointed by them, or try to make them into something they are not.
And that's another thing. Never walk into a relationship thinking you'll change the other person. People can only change if they themselves truly want to.
On a related note, I have found in my experience that you cannot be any happier or healthier than the people you surround yourself with. You cannot be happy and healthy enough for two people. That's not how it works.
Surround yourself with people who make you feel good. People who accept and like you just the way you are, and don't judge you or try to change you or force false standards on you.
Avoid the elitists -- the people who say, "You have to be this, or you're not really this." Also avoid the people who bash what you like, who hurt you with words even if they don't mean to, or who don't value you and your time.
Above all, be happy. You don't like your job? Quit and live with your parents until you find a new one. Don't want to go to college? Try a technical school. Want to travel? Find a way to do that. Not happy in your relationship? Talk to the other person about that. If they won't listen, walk.
Health is part of happiness. If something's going wrong, seek out a health specialist. Not just anyone, but someone who finds your concerns valid and who won't try to trivialize your experiences.
Be happy, healthy & free.
