my cousin is one of my most loyal blog readers. last week she wanted to be mentioned in a blog. this week she has a retreat that called for advice letters. so this blog is for her entirely!
my meg liptak,
it’s kind of funny that I am writing directly to one of my most loyal blog readers. you know how much I love to write and how much of what I do is writing intensive. advice letters are a unique enough task on their own. this is particularly unique because you already use me as a resource, and reach out for help—and I’m so proud of you for this. know that you never have to hold back from me with anything—no matter how much you screw up, no matter how severe the problem, no matter how painful—no matter what. unless you are telling me you are a red sox fan. let’s face it—some things are unforgivable. a lot of really talented writers say that the key to being a good writer is knowing your audience. that writing rule especially applies here; how can you give genuine advice without knowing your audience?
here are some things I know about you:
you’re strong. I don’t know if you picked up on this but that innate strength is hereditary. it’s how you get through all of life’s twists and turns, it’s the reason you don’t give into peer pressure, it’s the reason you don’t let your own convictions waiver in the wind of others, and it’s probably the reason you fight with your dad. the liptak-ian bullheaded, trimax style lies within all of us, although it is more subdued in some of us than others. and although it can lead to fights, and sometimes battles, with our loved ones, it ultimately keeps us honest and true to who we are. sometimes, you will grapple with peer pressure and feel like you are giving in, but sometimes our actions overlap with the decisions of our peers. so you may not be giving in, you may just be agreeing with them all on your own.
there are times when you will desperately want shed your stubborn skin, but keep wearing it. it keeps us true to ourselves. and don’t for a second doubt that nanny and pappa are watching over you ensuring that it’s ingrained into every step that you take.
you’re growing. there is not a large numerical gap between your age and mine, but the growth years wear like dog years. it’s said that your high school years are the best years of your life. whoever said this never went to college. you are about to embark on some of the most exciting years of your life. and if you think these advice letters are the only pieces of advice flying your way in the upcoming months, you are terribly mistaken, my love. everyone is going to tell you where to go to school, what to major in, and how to live your life. ultimately, everyone is going to give you their two cents on how you should live as a young adult for the first time.
the best advice I can give you is not to listen to them—except for me of course. or listen, but with a grain of salt. embrace your upcoming years with the unbridled independence that I know you are capable of. do everything and nothing. make mistakes and celebrate your accomplishments. run the gambit, because shortly after you have to become a REAL grown up.
I know you, and I know you are reading to tackle your next phase of life. leave your own imprint on your next 4 years—hell—on the rest of your life. because as I’m learning, after college, you’re an adult…scary huh?
you were probably expecting something more religiously geared, and although it doesn’t look like the most religious piece of writing on the face of the earth, let me assure you that a vital religious element has run rampid through this letter. FAITH. nothing that I mentioned about your personality is possible without faith. faith in yourself, faith in your surroundings, and hey, some faith in the big guy (or woman—lydia will go all feminist on you if you refer to god as a guy) never hurt anyone either. I don’t make it to church every Sunday, and I don’t read a bible verse every night, and I sometimes I doubt religion. but when you are 20-something and younger, I think that’s what religion is. church and the bible are great resources, and I know a lot of people who take advantage of them. but personally, I think applying the content is the greatest advocacy of all. and someday I will use these tools. but for now, the best I can do is have faith.
and I think that’s not too bad,
xoxo kate.
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