Live out Loud!

This has been done before, to infinity.  But, I'm not one to pass up a good idea just because someone else thought of it first.  So, here it is.  An open letter to my son (although it's really a letter to everyone with a few thoughts about living).

Dear Son:

This is my way of passing on what little bit of knowledge I've gained so far about how to truly live. I know that today, your 15 year old self may not appreciate this advice, but my hope is that one day, you will be able to absorb and practice some of these principles.

"God is making things happen for you.  Even when you don't see it.  Even when you can't feel it.  Even if it's not evident.  God is working on your prayers."

The first, and most important, part of life is to have a true relationship with God.  I love you to infinity and beyond, but remember this:  NO ONE will ever, ever, ever love you more than Jesus.  Cultivate that relationship.  God has a plan for you.  You were born with a purpose. Read the Bible, spend time in prayer, ask God for wisdom.  Pray some more.  Ask for more wisdom.  Read what the Bible says about you, how to live, how to love, how to act.  Here are just a few verses for you to ponder.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity."  1 Timothy 4:12

"No disaster can overtake you, no plague will come near your tents;  He has  given His angels orders about you, to guard you wherever you go."  Psalm 91:10-11

Remember to be grateful.  For everything.  If you practice gratitude each day, you will live a happy and fulfilled life.  Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful.  Don't compare yourself to others.  Comparison is the thief of joy.

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings."

Work hard.  The only way to succeed is to work hard.  Period.  No shortcuts.  Go above and beyond. Don't cheat to get ahead.  Be honest in your dealings.  Solve problems instead of creating or complaining about them.  Think outside the box.  Be creative.  Do what you say you are going to do.  Live with integrity.  Take responsibility for your actions.  Do not blame others.

""Good character is more to be praised than out-standing talent.  Most talents are, to some extent, a gift.  Good character, by contrast, is not given to us.  We have to build it piece by piece--by thought, choice, courage, and determination."

"Be happy with what you have while working for what you want."

You don't have to know it all or have all the right answers.  Be willing, and humble enough to learn.   If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is to stop digging.  Never stop learning, EVER!  Be careful with your words.  You don't have to attend every argument you're invited to.  Be humble.

"Pride is concerned with WHO is right.  Humility is concerned with WHAT is right."

"No matter the situation, never let your emotions overpower your intelligence."

"Express the courage to speak that which you know, yet the humility to hear that which you do not know."

Be kind. The highest form of wisdom is kindness. Be willing to help others.  Remember that compassion has no limit.  Kindness has no enemy.  Your mood should not dictate your manners.  Remember that strong people don't put others down, they lift them up.  Bring out the best in others.  Practice forgiveness. Treat others with respect and dignity.

"Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others.  Unsuccessful people are always asking, What's in it for me?"

"Patience, kindness, and compassion will get you further than anger, criticism and condemnation will."

"You don't have to disrespect and insult others simply to hold your own ground.  If you do, that shows how shaky your own position is."

"I believe in courtesy, the ritual by which we avoid hurting other people's feelings by satisfying our own egos."

"Kindness is always in your power even when fondness is not."

"Today will never come again.  Be a blessing.  Be a friend.  Encourage someone.  Take time to care. Let your words heal and not wound."

Seek friendship.  Treasure it.  You do not need to have a thousand friends.  Relationship takes work.    The only way to have a friend is to be one.  Family is important!

""If you go looking for a friend, you're going to find they're very scarce.  If you go out to be a friend, you'll find them everywhere."

"There are amazingly, wonderful people in all walks of life;  some familiar to us and others not.  Stretch yourself and really get to know people.  People are in many ways one of our greatest treasures."

"You can make more friends in 2 months by becoming interested in other people than you can in 2 years by trying to get people interested in you."

"Relationships last long because two people make a choice:  to keep it,  fight for it, and work for it.

Make sure that your wife is also your friend.  Look for quality of character over beauty.  Remember a person who is beautiful on the outside can be very ugly on the inside.  Look for a woman you can respect as a true partner.  Cherish her.  Look for a woman who also cherish's you.  Don't forget to have fun together--laughter is important. Value her input. Hug each other often.  Spend time together.

Live out loud!  Travel!  Be an explorer of food, of life, of nature.  Enjoy yourself.  Laugh often!  Laugh at yourself.  Don't take yourself too seriously. Learn to appreciate art.  Fill your days with music.  Take time to look for the beauty all around you! Try new things.  Get outside as often as you can! Get in the water as often as you can! Seize every day! Never miss an opportunity to see something beautiful.  Do not live in fear.  Be bold.  Remember that every day is a gift, not a given right.  Be adventurous! Always know that you are loved!  Let me say that again.  YOU ARE LOVED!

There is so much more to say, but not enough space or time.  I have every confidence in you!  You will do well in life.   I'm excited to watch you as you continue to grow.

I'll leave you with these wise words from a wise woman, Mother Teresa.

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you.  Be honest anyway.  if you find happiness, people may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.  Give the world the best you have and it may not be enough.  Give your best anyway.  For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them."