Sweet 16

My niece is turning 16 on Valentines Day, a very big day. It got me thinking about how, now at 33, I wish someone could have given me a little insight on life, business, and so on. For someone at the age of 16, us older folks in some ways have a crystal ball in regards to general life lessons and advice that could be priceless to these “young adults”; although they need to be willing to listen which is a whole new topic.

So, what has my 33 years given me that I would pass on to my 16 year old niece (some of this I wrote in her b-day card, some I didn’t)?

From utter heartbreak comes an understanding of true love and a deeper value for it. From hardship (financial and otherwise) comes the appreciation of life, friends, and family. Don’t let “bad things/ bad times” turn you into a negative person, instead take those moments and use them as stepping stones toward something even more amazing because you learned from the bad to create an even greater good.

Do not EVER believe anyone if they say you can’t. Find peace within yourself because all great things in this world start in you. Maintain a positive spin on all things, even in the most dire times; I know it’s dreadfully difficult but the rewards are too numerous to list. Enjoy each and every moment because people, times, and events don’t last forever; you have to devote yourself to each moment. Helping others is the most amazing thing in this world, and I don’t mean with money. The simple act of building someone up when they feel bad or making someone smile when life hurts is one of the most amazing gifts.

As corny as it is, this still is a magical journey and everything that you want in life is absolutely yours to achieve. You need to be passionate, kind, motivated, helpful, positive, and most importantly you need to know that you need to work very, VERY hard in this life. Nothing comes easy, but be relentless in pursuit of your dreams and the life you live, along with the legacy you leave, will be one for the record books.

Happy Birthday Carissa (on February 14th)