I write this letter not because anything is wrong but because there are certain things that I want you to know. Some of these are lessons that I have learned long ago, and yet some I am still learning. What I do know is that nobody is guaranteed tomorrow, so share what you can when you have the time. So here goes:
- Develop a relationship in Jesus. My life changed when this happened. Your story, your chapter has already been written, all you have to do is have faith and nurture it.
- Don't settle. Each of you have dreams and I beg that none of you settle for anything less than those dreams. If your dream is to tape the ankle of the best RB in the NFL, don't stop until you get there. If your dreams are to encourage kids to dream in your classroom, then help those kids get to their dreams. If your dreams are to build the best, biggest apartments or homes, don't settle until you have built the very best. Whatever it is, don't let someone else determine your dreams and your destiny.
- Love as many people as you can. Don't go a single day without feeling like you have loved someone else, or even someone new. You never know when a single gesture of love will change the course that someone is on.
- Thank those that encouraged you. Sometimes you don't realize it when it is happening, but the people that were along with you on your path are sometimes the ones with the greatest impact. Maybe it was a coach, a teacher, a pastor or all of these and more. I wish I could go back and thank every person that impacted a decision that mattered later.
- Your best is yet to come. Life is going to happen and decisions you make now may change what is happening now, but the best is still to come. Your friends will change over the years, but learn something from every experience.
- Live life to the absolute fullest. Climb a mountain, sky dive, ride a bronco. Do what you can now because in time those chances don't happen as often.
- Make a positive impact on someone each day. Every day you will be presented with an opportunity to impact someone's life. It may be friend, family, or even a stranger but it will present itself to you. When that opportunity comes, do not waste that opportunity. Don't be afraid to be different, to standout, but don't do it for accolades. Do it just because it is the right thing to do.
- Visit the oceans, the mountains, the prairies. Visit them all. But appreciate them not only for how great they are, but also the little details. The sound of the waves, the rustle of the grass, the steps to climb the mountains. Take it all in and appreciate it.
