A much needed blast from the past...

I had never foreseen myself writing this post, but I suppose it is a sign. With the end of my junior year approaching and my 21st birthday in less than a month, nothing could have been more timely.

I was at home in Wake Forest last night, cleaning out my closet to donate clothes, and I stumbled upon a letter my dad had written me for my 17th birthday. Word for word, here it goes:

“Turning 17 years old… you have 365 days to prepare for becoming a legal adult. That sounds like you need to work hard! Prepare! Focus! Apply yourself! Get involved in the community or church! It seems overwhelming. Don’t let it be.

The most important thing in your life this year… and every year is for you to be happy. Be happy. Be happy.... We throw that around like a t-shirt slogan or a gimmick. For some people it is remarkably easy! What a blessing. For most it can be a struggle. Why is this, and what can you do?

The world, our culture and all of its pitfalls can saturate you with anxiety, a sense of urgency. Pressure to be something specific, look a certain way and live and act in a manner that other people expect you to. Wow. Sounds awful. Guess what, it is. In the 1950s they sat and sipped coffee and passed judgement. Now it is infinite and at light speed. It’s in color and it’s invasive and narcissistic. A dangerous thing for even the strongest of character and self confidence.

Recognize the toothless dangers to your happiness. It is a free and beautiful thing to be happy.

-Be who you want to be.

-Do the things that interest you and you enjoy.

-Have fun. Have fun. Have fun.

-If you do not enjoy your day, you cannot recognize the things that satisfy you,

Strive only for this. Everything else will follow.”

This was written four years ago. Man, was he right. I was too young at the time to realize it. Now having been in college for three years, I recognize the dangers to society he mentions, the threat to happiness. Social media being all-consuming. College making life seem like an ultimatum- you get a job immediately after graduation or you are destined to a life of unemployment. At the end of the day, being happy, appreciating what you have, and being proud of who you are and treat others is the most important.

The card was a great reminder for me to slow down, drop the constant sense of urgency, and truly enjoy this time of my life. Tim Russert was right when he said "The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get."

#Happiness #birthday