If you could write a letter to your 14 year old self, what advice would you give her/him?  Here’s mine:

Dear Dawdling DayDreamer:

Learn to forgive yourself.  You are not the saint you think you are.  You are impatient and will make many mistakes.  But it’s okay because those mistakes will lead to experiences you may never have had, had you been more deliberate in your actions.  Thus, learn to forgive yourself.

Always give someone a second chance.  You are not the best judge of character and, although you rarely judge someone by how they look or talk, often your first impression of a person will be wrong.  Of course, because you think you’re a saint, you will try to make the best of bad choices when you should be running in the opposite direction but then again, forgive yourself. There are lessons to be learned in even the worst of experiences.

Never say “I would never…” because you will.   Accept that there are no absolutes in life. When you find yourself in a situation you never imagined being in, remember to forgive yourself.  It happens to everyone.  Even saints.

Learn to listen.  You think you are a good listener but often you only hear what you want.  Let people finish their thoughts and carefully reflect and don’t assume the worst.  Lack of confidence is a thief of time.

Friends are not perfect.   Many of your closest friends will be the type of people you never thought you’d enjoy hanging out with.  So keep an open mind. Don’t make a list of what a friend should be.  Just enjoy the ones who somehow get through your hard shell and remember, you are not a saint. 

In conclusion, you will be brave enough to take risks and fool-hearty enough to pursue your dreams. Your smile will always get you through so use it generously.