Letter To Me

Hi!

Listen to me, you have wavy hair! Stop fighting it. No amount of product is going to hide those waves and hey…don’t let people see you’re annoyed by that because they’ll just be the pesky kids they are and make a big deal about it for years to come. Yes, it will take you until you are 25 to be able to figure out how to style your hair, but you do finally figure it out. Relax.

I know you haven’t been at ease lately. There are so many things on your mind. So many things that you shouldn’t even be thinking about but, your concerns can be kept for your adult years. Put them aside for now. You should be enjoying your childhood, enjoy your teen years. They go by so quickly and you will never get them back.

Trust me when I say this, it is okay if it doesn’t seem like you have found good friends yet. Your best friendships are yet to come. Your idea of friendship will evolve and in the end you will find that you don’t want many friends. You just want a few – as few as five – who will know you and care for you, come what may. Your few friends will be the friends worth having. They will be the kind of friends that share with you in your interests and encourage you to follow your passion. They will share your values and beliefs and will contribute so much to the person you eventually become. They will not think twice about praising you and will be equally lavish in their criticism of you. Just bear in mind that their remarks always come from a place of deep love and not the bitterness that characterizes so many others. For now, enjoy the company of your baby brother. He too will grow up too fast. Give him your attention, let him meet your friends, he will turn out to be pretty cool too…even if it doesn’t seem possible right now.

Though you are struggling to keep all your grades up, you will gradually discover that grades are not everything. Yes, you will have your genius moments and will even get 97% in your commerce exam in ISC, but a simple remark from Mr. Behera on your literature paper will make your day and will fill you with more joy that a 97% will never be able to match. It is not so much what knowledge you are gaining, but the values that you learn from your dedication to St. James’ school and the teachers and staff there that keep you moving forward. Don’t be afraid when Mr. Sengupta shouts and screams at you when your elocution piece is not punctuated correctly or when your history homework is not well done. The man is a genius and you will look back and realize that much of your meticulous work ethic can be attributed to those high standards he demands. Take the time out to get to know him. Listen to his story. He is a man of character and will be someone you look upto all your life.

Don’t worry. You end up doing so much more than you ever thought you would. Believe me. You will question yourself at times. You will wonder. Your friends will be thinking of pursuing goals that sound so awe inspiring and will be heading off to the best colleges in the world to make those dreams a reality. But, hold tightly onto that little voice inside. Yes, that one, the one you’re trying to ignore. You will discover you’re true calling quite early in life. It may not be the kind of calling that will make you a lot of money, but, it will ensure that you are always happy, always fulfilled and always content. You will be rewarded with a career filled with hard work, world travel, excitement, and a sense of confidence in your abilities that gradually grow and will eventually stay with you always. Trust your instincts. They’re right most of the time. Let your heart lead. Don’t let your head overpower what you really want and really believe in.

Mom and dad are the best! You know that already. They won’t mind if you have a string of teenage romances like your other friends. Ok fine, a string of romances may be a stretch and may give mum sleepless nights. But don’t be so picky – experience those crazy teenage crushes – they make such good stories when you’re stuck in adult parties where you have to fill awkward silences during conversations. Remember, that it’s okay for people to have their quirks and eccentricities. You’ll have plenty of those when you’re older and bordering on the lines of an OCD.

Unfortunately, you will experience some struggles along the way – personal struggles that I wish I could help you avoid. But you will also experience friendship that still surprises you when you’re as old as I am. You will learn that your support system – your parents, your brother, your cousin Junella and your few friends will supply you with all the strength and encouragement you need to make the most out of your every moment. Thank them when you get the chance. Love them. Tell them how much they mean to you. They are the ones who will cause you to soar in so many ways. They will also ensure that you are firmly grounded and rooted in reality and humility.

Learn now that adulthood is not all that it’s hyped up to be. Enjoy yourself. Go out more often and make the effort to meet those friends you keep avoiding. Read all the books you possibly can, you’ll get so little time when you’re grown up. Take every opportunity that comes your way and make the most of the precious time you have. I know you, and no matter what situation you find yourself in you will do the right thing. Your life is a good one. You’ll be happy with the decisions you make for yourself so enjoy and savor every moment for hese really are the best days of your life.

So sing. Laugh. Dance. Explore. Discover. Be.

Love,

A 27 Year Old, You.