Congratulations! Graduation is also called commencement- because you are commencing the rest of your life. As you transition into the first day of the rest of your life, there is some advice that I want to give, as a mom who loves you and wants you to find happiness and joy in life. Adulting is hard, stressful and like nothing you have experienced yet in your life. Get ready! At times it will feel like everything is moving too fast or too slow for what you want. Sometimes you will love your life & sometimes you hate it. Life is a roller coaster of emotions and crazy things to experience and work through. Just try to keep the following tips in mind as you go.
Always let YOUR voice be the loudest in your head and the one you listen to. Everyone has advice on what you should do for just about every situation you come across in your life but learn to pay attention to what your own voice is telling you to do- you will learn to know what is best for you.
Enjoy the present moment. Life can get busy and crazy but don't fall into the trap of thinking that you will slow down and enjoy life when something happens, or you will forever be waiting for something to happen to enjoy the present moment. You don't have to graduate college to be happy or get married to be happy or buy a house to be happy or wait for kids to be old enough to go to school, etc. Stop. Breath & be present right where you are. There is no hurry to get anywhere in life. Your point of power is in the present.
Money doesn't solve all your problems. There are lots of songs about how money can't buy happiness but it can buy things like a truck or a plot of land. Money & things are just tools to help you live your life but that's not where happiness can be found. Learn to be happy with what you have. You don't need millions of dollars or piles of things cluttering up your life. Simple living is the best for the soul. You'd be surprised how little you actually need in life and can still be happy.
Don't compare yourself to others. Where you are now and where you will be in the future are totally up to you. You have your own unique path that will take you places you have never dreamed. At the end of your life you are the only one who has to be at peace with how everything turned out. You don't need to compete or try to keep up with anyone.
Find your passion and your purpose then follow them with all your heart! If you can find what lights you up inside and do that then you will be happy. Just know that what you are passionate about now may change as time goes by and that's ok. Anytime that happens take the time to figure out your new passion and purpose & follow that! Before I became your mom I had things I was passionate about that lost their excitement because you became my new passion and purpose for living. Now that you are grown, I am learning how to follow my new passions in search of a new purpose. That's just part of the cycle of life.
The world is a better place because you are in it. Just being born changed the world around you and every day you continue to make an impact. Your life, no matter what you do, has ripple effects that touch the people around you and that's a good thing! Small things you do can make a big difference around you. We can all smile more. Life is good if you can learn to find the good in your life.
Harsh judgements can only lead to unhappiness. Being critical of yourself and others around you will not lead to happiness. Constant criticism wears people down. It's not your job to change others or make them see things from your perspective. And it's not their job to change you. Live the way you want to live and let others live the way they want to live and we will all be a lot happier.
Choose to be kind to others, kindness spreads. The world can always use more kindness and love. If you want to change the world for the better, start by being kind. Smile to everyone you meet. Say thank you for even small things. Hold open a door for a stranger.
Don't be afraid to be alone sometimes. Alone time is important to recuperate, create new plans and chart your path forward in life. Learn to be alone with your thoughts and get to know yourself as a person. Having friends and spending time with them is great but make sure you are friends with yourself too.
When life gets too stressful spend time in nature. Remember how quickly you can find peace and calm in your life when you get away to a quiet place in nature and listen to the birds and the water. Go to the beach, the woods, hike in the desert, go to a community park, just get away for a while. If you need a complete reset in life, try camping for a week in the woods. Nature sooths the soul.
Always have at least one goal you are working on. In life if you are not moving forward you are moving backwards. There is really no such things as standing still. Have at least one goal that you are working on every day, sometimes more is better. The goal can be small or big, long term or short term. Maybe you want to read a book or write a book or learn to cook or save enough money to buy a car or travel to a new place in the world each year. Just make sure you have something you are looking forward to and working on to keep you focused.
& Last but not least- I will always be here for you. No matter where you go and what you do in life, I am here when you need me. You may not be my baby anymore but you will forever be my child. Call, visit, email, text, anyway you need to reach me. I am here to wrap you in a hug when life gets tough, because it will get tough at times but you can do this!
I will always love you. I may not agree with every decision you will make in your life as you are entering adulthood but my love for you will never change. Be true to who you are. Aim high & Fly! Anything you dream you can do if you set you mind to it and stay committed to it. Be consistent. Be kind. But most of all BE YOU!
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