“God has planted greatness in you. Let today be the beginning of a great adventure as you step into the gifts he’s given you.”
My Dearest Mackynzie,
There is a whole big world out there. The way we do things in our little bubble is way different than many other places. Other cultures, countries and even states differ in diet, sleep patterns, mannerisms, religion, fashion, living space, time management, values, health, and much more. There are so many ways you could benefit from exploring and experiencing other places and people. Knowing other ways of doing things will (1) help you appreciate the way you grew up or (2) give you some options for how you want to live your life. We are so fortunate to live in a time where travel is so easy. It was only about 100 years ago when it took months to travel across the United States, now it only takes a couple of hours in an airplane. Exploring life will also help you discover your strengths and expose your weaknesses. The more you know about yourself, the easier it is to step into the gifts that God has given you and use them to make the world better.
As a mother, this is such bitter sweet advice. It is scary to see your little girl explore life. I’m sure there will be many nights filled with worry, but I believe that this is essential to guiding you in the direction of the best life you can have. It is my job to teach you how to be responsible and smart in difficult situations, how to make good choices and I have full confidence that you will. When you are young you are figuring out the world and how it works. The best way to learn is to experience life.
My loving advice to you. Don’t be held back by fear and experience life. Learn what makes you cry with joy and how to avoid things that cause you pain. See the ocean and climb a mountain. Try food that you’ve never even heard of and learn another language. You can always come back. As time passes and you become more stable, take small adventures. Don’t get stuck in the rhythm of life and lose your enthusiasm for it.