What I would tell my 18-year-old self

I was out with a friend today and we were having a fabulous conversation (as we always do) and I thought of a question one of my coworkers likes to ask people she meets. She often asks them, "What would you tell your 18-year-old self?"  It's a fascinating and intriguing question. I posed it to my friend today at the coffee shop and we both took turns answering. Here's what I would tell myself at 18: you're more amazing than you think. You have so much to give the world.  It's okay to be hurt--the hurt won't destroy you and you will learn to be happy again. Take more risks.

At 18 I remember myself thinking I was nothing special. That i had nothing to offer the world. I was really depressed after I turned 18. I think I would tell myself that it gets better. That life can be fun and that you will feel happy again. And maybe, most importantly, I would tell myself at 18: it's all going to be all right. Stop worrying and enjoy your life. LIVE your life.

It also makes me realize that I'm so glad I'm at *this* point in my life. I'm so glad that I've been on the journey that I have and it has culminated at me being at exactly this point at exactly this time.