1. I hope that you can stand-alone.

You cannot expect anyone to stand beside you in a relationship until you can fearlessly stand-alone. When you are not capable of this, welcoming a boy into your life will not balance out the equation. A relationship must be built on a strong foundation where both sides meet in symmetry because instability will become inevitable if one side does not correspond to the other.

2. I hope that you fall in love with yourself.

You cannot receive love from others until you have first loved yourself. Likewise, you cannot love others until you have first loved yourself. This love is not to be arrogant or self-righteous. Instead, it should be an acceptance of your flaws, strengths, and weaknesses.

3. I hope that you know that the world does not owe you.

Contrary to what most people believe, the world does not owe you anything. I hope that you make a mark on this world, big or small, never falling into the trap of believing that it owes you.

4. I hope that you appreciate time.

Time is a funny thing. It is constant, yet in some moments it feels like it slows down or speeds up. Do not fall into the pattern of monotonous life that so many people will become a slave to. Start every day on purpose, appreciating every hour that has passed and every hour that is to come.

5. I hope that you see beauty.

The old saying goes, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” It can be found anywhere and everywhere—I hope that you open up your eyes to see it even in the darkest places.

6. I hope that you fail.

Yes, you read that correctly. You must fail before you can succeed because within every failure is an opportunity for self-growth.