Posted by marie on Nov 2, '07 1:13 AM for everyone
This blog in a way, is for “adults only". Mainly because this question is addressed to people in their 20s, 30s,40s and beyond:
Do you remember how you were at 13? Or how you looked or behaved in high school ?
I remember being a scrawny 13 year old wishing I could be as “developed” as my other friends.
My mom would say, “ Just wait til you get older, you’ll develop.” (Well Ma, I’m STILL waiting!)
I remember wrestling with all my monumental, life and death issues such as:
” What Will I Wear?” “What if I don’t fit in?” “Who will my prom date be?” “What if I flunk Algebra?’ “What if the whole world comes to an end? “How come my friends can go but I can't?” “Should I cheer for Ateneo or La Salle?” “What if I don’t succeed?” “Will my sister really kill me if I ‘borrow’ her stuff again?”
Imagine all that time and energy I wasted on things that were so temporary!
Inspired by an Oprah(!) magazine, I met with a group of ladies of varying ages and walks of life and decided to make this my warm–up question :
IF you could write a letter to the young person you were before, (teen and below)
What words of advice would you give yourself?
It turned out to be an interesting conversation. One pretty lady softly smiled and said “I would tell my 8 year old self ‘God made you beautiful and special.” She shared how she grew up feeling unattractive, unloved and unfavored even as a little girl.
Another shared. “I would tell my OC student self “Don’t be afraid. It’s not the end of the world, if you make a mistake.”
One single mother sighed “ I would tell my teenage self ‘Listen to what your Dad is saying.’" It was a wonderful, sometimes teary-eyed time of sharing.
Here in a nutshell were some of those words of advice we would give our younger selves:
1. Dream Big. Pursue Big Goals. God Can Do More than You Think He Can.
2. Don’t Worry. The Cares that Seem Big today won’t be as Big Tomorrow.
3. Find Mentors who Can Help You Succeed.
4. Read the Book of Proverbs Daily. It has the wisdom you’ll need on how to relate to people.
5. Choose Your Friends.
6. Listen / Don’t Listen to Your Parents.
7. Live to Please God. Have a Christ-centered Life.
8. Enjoy Life.
9. You’re More Special Than You think you are.
10. Don’t be Afraid of what Others Think of You.
Wouldn’t it have been great if while going through our angsty, insecure years, we all had a letter filled with advice and encouragement at the time we needed it the most? That sure would’ve made life simpler.
However, the other question is … if someone did give me a letter like that, would I even have bothered to read it or believe it? Hmmm…
We may not have had our letters then (that’s why our lives went in so many different directions) but we all have our very special Letter now.
It’s called the words of God.
Think about it. See that List of 10 Advice Tips up there?
Amazingly, they’re all found in the Bible. So even if you’re young and all alone, with no adult to encourage you, if you read your Bible on a daily basis, you still win.
The Bible has no age limit and no expiration date.
Anyone can read it and benefit. It’s got the answers, the directions and even the love we need. Whether we’re Male or Female. Sure some parts are puzzling. Even boring. (“Begat…. begat…begat…”ang bigat!)
But there are eye-openers rewarded to those who persist. And they’re ours to keep. Or to share as the need arises. That’s why I read mine . The way I figure it, I have everything to gain. Nothing to lose.
I end this blog with that same question I gave that group:
If you could write a letter to your younger self , what words of advice would you give YOU?
(I also wonder…How much of that advice would be found in the Bible too ? )
 | great post tita marie...
if i could write to younger me - "don't be in a hurry to grow up, take things in stride... it's usually the small things that have a big impact" |
 | good one tita marie....
i would tell my 13 yr old self "you don't have to act tough....you don't have to prove anything to anyone.....you are loved, wanted and accepted." |
 | GALING I THINK THIS SHOULD BE MADE IT IN ABOOK |
 | emphas1s wrote on Nov 2, '07, edited on Nov 2, '07 11) Put that KFC thigh down and go train for a marathon!!
sorry did that come out aloud? |
 | hi tita marie! i like this. if you ask me, i'd tell myself to "obey your parents!" hahaha! |
 | thanks ms marie! good thought for me today too! at the top of the list would definitely include, "it's ok to make mistakes!" and "the world will not end if you do!" |
 | This is really good. Of course we can not go back and change the things we have done but we can certainly try to help the youth that are experiencing some of the same struggles we had. I would have told my self that it is ok to profess Christ and His love instead of feeling odd about it. |
 | great post marie! in tagalog "ang biga!t" |
 | Great one. I should share this with my daugter who just turned 14 today. |
 | what a great blog! it's funny and a little sad that i needed to get to my 30's to be comfortable in my own skin. i read this with emman. now, can you please blog about how you look younger every year??? i want your secret! |
 | I agree...this should be a topic for a book! Great post, Marie...
What would I advise my young self? I would tell eighteen year old me that God restores. And His plan will prevail. Just trust Him and obey Him! |
 | maihern wrote on Nov 2, '07, edited on Nov 2, '07 nice question ms marie. this is interesting coz 13 was a crucial age for me. a seatmate (PK) in a catholic school shared to me the 4SL (4 Spiritual Laws w/ the bridge illustration.hehe) then and that was 1986. from then on, i got hooked on reading the Bible, even under the sheets coz my parents would turn off the lights early. i had my casio digital watch then, u know, those that had a light button and i would use it to read my bible when it's already lights out hehe.(i think that's y my eyes are a little malabo now)...if i were to write myself a letter, i would say, "you're doing just fine. your Dads (heavenly and earthly) love you." |
 | mra2z wrote on Nov 3, '07 I used to go around sharing 4SL in DLSU. In one semester I think I shared it to sixty people. None of them responded. But I am trusting God that his words won't return void. |
 | great one tita! i would tell myself "just breathe, everything will be okay, some ONE has your back" |
 | oh, i miss sitting in one of your "wonderful and sometimes teary-eyed time of sharing" meetings! i miss you my friend -- the small talks, the "eye-opening" conversations (i have learned a lot from you!)...hope to see you soon -- Christmas? |
 | Oh yes just like Jennie you can't imagine how much I miss those meetings we had.
I'm asking Pia to read this blog so she can get some piece of advise. Not from me..... |
 | poink wrote on Nov 4, '07 amazing entry! *sniff* :) thanks so much ms marie :)
i'd probably tell myself, God made you unique...you are beautifully and wonderfully made. :)
and yes...that is found in the Bible ^_^ |
 | i wish i had the same passion for the Word just like you ms Mai... anyways, i will advice the young me to read, share and live the Word and not just listen to it during Sunday Service. :)
thanks Ms. Marie for sharing :) |
| OK Marie - that's it, I think my megachurch has grown too big, it's time to plant some satellite churches! Me and tina have been talking and it's time to streamline towards a "Simple Church"... haha!! Prayerfully next time you see me, my "advanced strategic planning" will have taken effect... |
 | Hmmm. I would tell my 13 year old me: "You are there to be a reward to someone! Young as you are, you can create an impact even to the adults out there".
Nice thoughts Marie. |
 | As an orphan, I will tell my teen-ager me: "Persevere, carry on no matter how difficult life seems to be. God will never abandon you" |
 | ms marie, i cannot stop reading your blogs! you are absolutely inspirational and i'm so glad tita marissa introduced me to you :) you will never know the impact you had on me and my life, and hopefully we can keep in touch via internet. thank you again for all that you are and i thank Him for enabling our paths to cross... have a good rest of the weekend.
sincerely,
mona |
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11) Put that KFC thigh down and go train for a marathon!!
