To My Beautiful Little Sister, Here Are 6 Things I Want You To Always Remember

My dearest love, my sweet, beautiful, spitting image of our mother, it’s difficult for me to admit you’re no longer little.

You are your own being. The ways in which you’ve grown are tremendous and every day I see a little of every one who loves you within you. However, I have been most lucky to see who you have grown to be.

I hope you know how much you are loved.

I’ve always admired your tenacity. You have a determination that I haven’t witnessed in any one before. The brilliance you hold is truly a gift, one I know without a doubt you will use to your fullest advantage. And you are so ready; so ready to explore everything the world has to offer and conquer whatever comes your way. I can’t wait to see the things you will accomplish. And if you’ll let me, I’d like to offer a few bits of advice before you take on this messy, wondrous, and sometimes difficult world…

1. Kindness is not overrated.

It is something this world needs more of, please remember to be conscious that those around you are battling their own demons. One compliment, one helping hand, one smile could affect someone in a way you couldn’t imagine. Kindness and understanding take nothing, but give everything.

2. Stand up yourself and your views.

Being swayed towards one opinion or another might become easier than you think. People will try to manipulate your thoughts, but don’t let them. You feel strongly about topics for a reason. Trust your intuition and your research, out of a million voices you can still make yours heard.

3. Have confidence.

Have confidence in all that you do. Let it shine and show, be it through your work, your passions, or yourself. You are so strong, and so wonderfully magnificent. Don’t let anyone try to take that away from you.

4. Never be ashamed to fail.

Where would we be without failure!? It’s how we learn and grow to be our best. And if you’re going to fail, fail BIG. You never want to regret chances not taken, words unspoken, or opportunities missed because no matter what, at least you took them. We are here for a short while, I know you’ll make the most of it.

5. Believe in love.

I have always been the dreamer, and you the realist. And I love that we create such a yin and yang. But please, love. Love deeply and openly, love without fear or hesitation. It may last or not, but true love can infiltrate every fiber of your being if you let it, and you should. It will help you become the best version of yourself. As Nat King Cole once sang, “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love, and be loved in return.”

6. Never give up.

If you listen to nothing else, please listen to this. Don’t ever give up. The relationship you have with yourself is first and foremost the most vital. You have so many people rooting for you and no matter what we will love you through any difficult time. It may seem like an easy task now, but life has a funny way of hitting us hard when we’re down. It challenges us in ways we don’t think we can survive. Yet we do. And you will.

Remember, that no matter what, I love you. I love you so absolutely and irrevocably. I’m inspired by you every day and so proud to call you my sister. So when you go out into this world, I will always be here. For advice, for a confidante, for a friend or sister, or in whichever way you need me.

The best is yet to come.