For Xofia (Part 1), for when the time you're old enough

to understand this, and young enough before life makes you jaded, these are the things I want you to remember.

There are always people who'd think they're better than anyone else. Whatever they're doing, let them be, but don't get affected by the negativity they put into the world. Be mindful and avoid these people. Don't let their behavior ruin your day. Instead, focus your energy on what you can do and what you can contribute to the community. Don't waste your emotion over someone incorrigible.

Love hard and get hurt. But don't let the hurt ruin you, instead, learn from it, and move on. There are always greater love after the one that's lost. You have to think that with the time unfolding, you can only get wiser. Don't get yourself be buried in all the callousness in this world of hurt. I've known people who can never be truly happy in relationships because they can never let go and let love be. They are prisoners of their own makings in the past. Needless to say, love hard, but always use your intellect when you do. You will soon understand that hormones have a funny way with messing with our feelings.

Choose your friends. You may not agree right now, but friendships do have limits. You can not let someone who's behavior you do not approve of come into your life. Even to the most guarded, they are bound to influence your behavior as well. I am not saying that you can not trust yourself, you just can't trust some people. And remember that no matter how beautiful the world or life is, there are always people who do not share the same enthusiasm. Get away from these people, you don't need to experience burning to feel how a burnt skin feels. But if you find someone who's worth it, stick to them. Treasure the friendship. Nurture the relationship. If you're lucky, they might be one of the few that lasts a lifetime.

Be true. Hypocrisy never earns you the trust of the people around you. If being true gets you outside the circle of the people you thought mattered, then guess what, those people don't matter after all. Be true and know yourself well, and find the grace to be comfortable of the person that you are. That's what matters most.

Know your priorities. There may come a time when you feel like all that matters is what your peer thought and their opinion of you. Remember that they come and go, but your family is the one constant thing in your life. Learn to know the difference and appreciate that.

Appreciate the value of money, but understand that money doesn't buy everything.

There is no surefire way to be happy. But I've got one sure thing that can bring happiness to your life. Contentment. Be contented on what you have, what you are, where you are, who you're with. There are always jewels worth treasuring tucked somewhere between the pages of our lives.

Nevertheless, dream big. There is no limit to it. Let that be your refuge. But be wise enough to know the difference between dream and reality. Keep your feet planted on the ground, but let your imaginations soar high. If the dreams fail, so what, those are just dreams, you can always dream again.


XX: this is part 1 of n things I want you to remember by while growing up. Lessons Mommy learned in her almost 3 decades in this world that she wants to share with you, Xofia.