it's okay to be a bookworm but know that you'll understand the words better once you've lived them

writing is a type of magic made of words and writers, but writers must have something to write about

hold your tongue around fools the way you hold your breath around smokers

but don't cover your mouth or your nose, hands are unsteady and independent

you don't have to be sad to be important

the people who only care when you're falling apart aren't the sort to associate with at all

it's okay if you keep your ears shut

when you're six

while giants try to teach you the alphabet-

you can learn how to spell "czechoslovakia" and still not comprehend your lover

when they say they're leaving-

melancholy is a language all its own

and you will cry as you go

but learn as you grow

in first grade,

focus on counting your blessings

instead of your tens-

although harder to memorize,

they're far more important to remember

know your beginnings and endings-

do not let sundays take your soul

if you need help-

ask-

do not dig your own grave

when you're only thirteen

purely because you've only ever known

how to shovel

there is at least one person

willing to get their hands dirty

in order to water your withering spirit

discover cause and effect

as early on as you can

so when your mother yells

you will be able to take care of your wounds

before they begin to bleed

do not be an open book-

not everyone deserves to read your story

some people will only stay for the climax

little do they know

no mountain peaks at sixteen

familiarize yourself with hot glue and duct tape at an early age

learn how to fix the broken

so mending your heart will be a breeze

most importantly,

don't follow in my footsteps

unless you're looking to get lost

Take full advantage of your youth. Know your full worth. Try Everything from Drama to Soccer to Decca ..Try not to be hard on yourself even if everyone else is. Choose your friends wisely for they could be your destiny..Be a leader and lead without prejudice ..Know that no matter where you came from their is hope and possibilities but it takes work to find the way..Have a spiritual connection..After all who does a drowning person call for..Lastly love your elders..They can teach you many things.. They were young once..Live bravely before you become invisible..

I'm not even close to adulthood but I think people younger than me, should stop trying so hard to grow up. They should appreciate being young instead of always wanting to be older, to wear makeup or get a smartphone at age ten. I admit I did that too, but not as much as I see the younger kids doing today.

Enjoy having summers off

Having meals prepared for you

Laundry fairies that do your wash

Free things/allowances

Great friends

Try new things

And travel every chance you get

These are the things you will miss when you get older.

But above all else, remember youth is only a short period of time so do not waste it worrying about what others think of you. Just be yourself. That is good enough!

It's okay if you want to sit by yourself at lunch.

It's okay if you're not part of the popular clique.

It's okay if you're not the skinniest.

It's okay to make mistakes.

It's okay if not everyone likes you.

It's okay to be yourself, in fact, that's the only true way to get by.

Be yourself and don't let anyone tell you that that's not good enough. If you're a girl and you want to cut your hair short, go ahead. If you're a boy who likes the color pink, so what. Love who you can but fend for yourself.

You want the very best advice that I can give you, something that when I was young I never even thought of?

Have you seen the late Robin Williams great movie 'Dead Poets Society'....?

Seize The Day.

Everything in your life could change in a heartbeat. So live every second of every minute of every single hour. Live. Run, jump, laugh, sing, shout.

Do it. Seize the day.