KENYA CHANEY
A&E Editor

Dear future children,

At the moment, I don’t know everything. I’m still learning about the game of life. Although I’m young now, in this letter, I will tell you of the things that I have learned.

My first advice is to not be afraid of loneliness. Loneliness is often viewed as a negative feeling. Instead of seeing loneliness in this way, please see it as a way of mindfulness. Loneliness gives you all the time in the world to know yourself better. Either way, you can’t escape it. Whether you’re physically alone or with others, you can still taste it. So, I say to embrace loneliness and use it as a way to not become immune to seeking happiness from others.

Which brings me to my second point of advice, never seek love from others. Be confident in yourself and love yourself. If you constantly seek approval and affection from others, you will never find self-confidence. Don’t compare your progress to others. You are different from them, and you may grow at a different pace. You will get to where you’re going. Make sure stay humble along the way.

My third piece of advice is to not worry. Worry is a waste of time. There is nothing to gain from worrying. When you are worried, spend your time wisely because time is the most valuable thing in the world. After all, you never get it back, and you can’t get more of it, either. It doesn’t wait for you, and you shouldn’t wait for it. There is no right time for anything, so if you feel the need to do something, do it. Chances are you’ll feel better in the long run.

As for happiness, I’m not sure. Many people search for happiness their whole lives. Some people say that they’ve found it, and others are in constant searching. Does happiness truly exist, or is it just temporary contentment in the present moment? Don’t search for happiness or something or someone to make you “happy.” Happiness is a state of mind. If you’re happy in that moment, be happy, and if you’re sad in that moment, be sad. Most of all, enjoy the present moment. The past is delightful to look back on. Taste the memories of nostalgia that you enjoyed so much, but don’t dwell on it for too long. It may hold you back. The future is so bright that you may not be able to see it, and sometimes, it can be so dark that you can’t find your way through it. Although it’s nice to have a plan for it, don’t plan too hard. The moment you must embrace is the present. The future is exciting, and the past is nostalgic. But the present will always be staring you in the face. And, you must grab that moment before it passes by. And lastly, always remember:

I love you.