As the year comes to an end, I look back at not just this year, but all the years that have passed and think of where I am today. I look towards my 60th birthday next year and think of how I got here.
So much has happened in my time that if I could go back and give this kid one piece of advice, I’d say, “Be prepared.”
Be prepared for amazing head spinning highs and dark soul crushing lows.
Be prepared for physical pain that your body cannot imagine, for emotional pain that will come close to breaking you and for mental anguish that wants to drive you insane.
Be prepared to see this incredible, gorgeous world, to travel to places you only read about, and some you never have. Be prepared to absorb those wonderful cultures, meet those beautiful people and see those stunning sites.
Be prepared to be bullied, to be abused, to be neglected and ignored by those close to you.
Be prepared to be successful in spite of all of your struggles, to be recognized, and to be a leader and mentor to so many.
Be prepared to move from place to place, to never feel at home most of your life. Be prepared to finally find your forever home in a place so very far away it will feel like a dream.
Be prepared for life long and life changing diseases. Be prepared for cancer.
Be prepared to express yourself through art and writing, to find passion in creativity, to inspire others with your art.
Be prepared to work so very hard, to be exhausted most days, to do it over and over. Be prepared to retire early.
Be prepared to find love, to lose love, again and again until your heart and mind melt. Be prepared to finally find the love of your life, the one that lights your way through the dark, the one that brings a smile when you can’t, the one that comforts you always.
I would tell my child-self to be prepared for all this and more, to be ready, to be strong, to be unafraid, to be bold, to be unique, to challenge the norm……except I can’t, because he already has.
Comments