Monday, September 10, 2012

Know Yourself

9-10-12

Lauren,

Hey.  Today's lesson is about knowing yourself.  If there is any one thing that I think it is absolutely important to know, it is to know yourself.  I don't mean knowing your favorite color, knowing your favorite snack, or knowing what your favorite band is. . .any of your best friends should be able to tell you that.  When I say it is important for you to know yourself, I'm talking about the little things, and noticing what makes you "tick" and what doesn't.

Some things you'll figure out as you get older, but why not start now?  Notice things that make you happy, things that make you sad; notice if a certain situation makes you uncomfortable, or if a certain person makes your emotions go from one extreme to another.  Notice when your body feels healthy, and when it doesn't.  These things are important to know, and if you start noticing them earlier rather than later, you'll learn how to better deal with them.

I have always been very observant of myself and others.  Several teachers and adults have told me that I'm observant and "wise beyond my years," so to speak.  That's why I know something is up with me lately.  I don't feel like myself.  The things that normally make me smile, and even the things that normally make me sad, don't really affect me at the moment.  And my body. . . .well I feel like my body is waging a war against me. First it was the surgery seven months ago, now it's acid reflux, or my hip, or any of the other fifty gazillion things ailing me. But now that I've recognized those things, I can work on them.

You know what really bothers me, though? When you tell someone something about yourself and they say "Oh, you'll change your mind one day," or "That's silly...why would you say something like that about yourself?" Because I know myself, duh! This is another reason why it's important to know yourself. . .if you grow up letting other people tell you who and what you are, you'll never truly figure it out for yourself.

So. . .start today.  Know yourself, and learn who you are.  It'll make you a much better, stronger person!

Love,

Meghan