Darlin’, you are the ultimate form of God’s creation. You are pure, secure in yourself and unrelatable to most of the world.
Someday, people will try to change that. They will attempt to steal your power because your unlimited view of life makes them uncomfortable.
People will condemn you for being willing to fail, take risk and be completely disconnected from their opinions.
This will happen soon. It’s time to start preparing.
When you face the pressure of social conformity – the temptation to blend in – it will be difficult to say no.
Sometimes, it will feel impossible.
However, this is when Mom’s and my teaching must come to life.
The pressure is not because you are doing something wrong. It’s because those around you crave your joy.
They are infatuated with why you don’t label yourself, why you don’t share their fears and how you brave your own.
They are convicted that because they are frozen by their doubts, it is unbelievable that you are not.
Climb the mountain, play the sport, build the business, have the dream marriage... Bring your dreams to life and pursue your relationship with God at all costs.
No one has the authority to tell you or convince you otherwise – including me.
Soon, there will be a chance to stand in place when everyone expects you to move. Do so with grace, understanding and confidence.
It’s not that they don’t believe in you; it’s that they don’t believe in themselves.
From this, you will recognize that they need you to succeed. They need you to model what it looks and feels like to be consistent.
The world needs you – not as they ask you to be – but as you are.
It needs you to show it what life is to be untamed, disconnected from their comfort and pure in heart.
It needs you to uphold your values beyond the justifications not to.
This is your calling. This is why God put you hear.
I will lead you down this path and show you what it is to have unlimited capability.
I will show you the emotional skills and the strategies to get the results you desire. I will give you 100%, BUT... One day, I will not be enough. I will hurt you; I will hinder you, and I will fail you.
It’s not because I plan to but because I am human, too.
In that moment, I ask you to remember that this is what it means to follow your dreams.
I dream of who you will be and how you will live, the man you will marry, the kids you will have... I dream of the way you will feel when you overcome the pressure of social norms and filter it through the lens of love and courage.
Your dad gets scared too.
But I have said to you: we can either submit to worry or use it as fuel.
Remain undomesticated. Remain steadfast in the beliefs we have implanted in you.
You are powerful. You are unlimited. You are beautiful.
Give this life everything you have. Raise your hands to God in the good time and bad, and remember...
You are the only one who lives your life. You are the sole decider of what it will be.
Be responsible for your decisions.
Know that you have what it takes.
Put your faith in God.
Control your attitude.
Lead through service and love.
Be grateful.
Focus on growth.
Be all in.
Love Dad.
