Dear me,

I'm not sure where exactly you are in life right now, but I do know that some pretty tough times are coming your way. A lot of the roads you take will be rocky, but it's important that you remember it's not because you deserve it. Don't get me wrong, you will slip up more times than once, but that doesn't change the fact that you are still a good person. But being a good person doesn't mean that you won't have to endure some of the most difficult times of your life- and believe me, you will.

You'll experience many changes- some fast and harsh, some subtle and slow- but with all of those changes you will grow beyond what you ever thought possible. You may think that you got a lot of your life all figured out right now, but believe me when I say that you got a long way to go! Looking back on you now, I can honestly say that every hardship makes the good times so much sweeter, and you will always learn from them- the good times and the bad times. So, don't worry so much! I can assure you that you will make it, and you will come out ahead. Everything happens for a reason.

Your strength and wisdom grows with each day, regardless of whether or not you can see it, and that is something to be proud of. I'm proud of you, and I also really think that you would be proud of where you end up- where I am today. You'll get many curve balls thrown at you, some harder and more unexpected that the others, but jeez...you will end up with so many home runs, and just start knocking them all out of the park. And you get to that point because of how hard you work. Sometimes, all of the effort may not seem worth it, but trust me, it definitely is!

You're not very trusting right now, and that's okay. You'll work very hard on that, and you won't believe how much better you feel and how much changes around you because of it, and for the better! You'll begin to trust yourself- and others- and you'll watch a massive amount of your pain turn into strength, love, patience and faith. But even when you get to this point, it's important to not stop working! It's also important to remember to work on yourself for yourself- not others. The ones who truly want you in their lives will also work to keep you in their lives. Don't forget that, and stop letting yourself be a doormat! You are so much more than that. That's something you'll realize more and more everyday; and that's also the big one that I still struggle with and am learning! But truly, don't give up. You will be okay, and although you won't really end up where you originally wanted to or thought you would, you still end up where you need to, and it's exactly where you're supposed to be.

You are now more independent than you ever thought possible, regardless of what they people say who still only see you as the "old you," and you are going places. You are now trusting, more thoughtful and more loving. You are now working harder and taking care of yourself. You now have a stronger, more logical voice- and you don't let it go to waste. You are now proud of who you are, and proud of who you've surrounded yourself with. You are now proud of all the hard work you've put in that at some points seemed to have no end, and you are amazed at the outcomes. You now act on love, not fear. You listen instead of just hear. You now speak with meaning instead of panic. And you are still learning and growing every day.

Just remember these important words: The hardest, longest paths will very often lead to the best outcome.

Sincerely,

Me

P.S.

Take more vitamins, and listen to your parents. No, seriously.