A few short weeks from now, you’ll be double checking suitcases, book bags, and new student lists as you prepare to leave your home and enter the world of higher education. As I look at the excitement, anticipation and inpatients on your glowing face, my heart swells, more than I thought it ever could, at the amazing person you’ve become.
I know the last thing in the world you want to hear right now is yet more advice from a woman who’s been offering it, wanted and otherwise, your entire life. But there’s something I’ve tried to teach you, maybe more by example than anything else, and I need to say it; to know that you know.
As you move out into the world with your mind hungry to learn new things and find new experiences, know that not all of the lessons are going to be good ones. That’s OK. I believe in my heart that the world is a good and beautiful place, but there are places, situations and sometimes even people that are not.
Try never to become too busy to soak in the beauty around you, to look for it and celebrate it! But when you find people that have had it taken from them, or were never taught to look for it, don’t flinch. Never let yourself become callous or hard. Instead, look for ways to share some part of your joy with them.
When you meet people, make sure you look them in the eye. Remember to never judge someone based on appearances. The true measure of a man (or woman) is taken over time and should be based more on on their deeds than words alone.
Hopefully you’ll always find more kindness and compassion on the ledger than anything else. But if you’re faced with otherwise, don’t flinch. Turning a blind eye to the ugliness in life is how apathy is born.
