While most days I think I couldn't be more ready to have this baby, I had a moment last night where I wondered how I'm supposed to bring an innocent little boy into this big, scary world.
On the t.v. I watched burning cars, burning buildings, clouds of smoke and tear gas, baseball bats through windows, stealing, language, emotions.... total chaos.
And, so, my son, I write you this letter after sitting down and watching all the Ferguson coverage.
I wish I could hold you tight and cover your eyes forever from the bad things of this world. But I can't. All I can do is teach you, pray for you, and love you. And because I love you, I offer you these wishes for your life.
Love People.
There are lots of different colors, beliefs, lifestyles and people in this world. Be quick to love and slow to judge. You don't have to always agree with choices people make, nor do you have to associate yourself with them, but never think you're better than them. You are only different from them. You will see in your own family that we have different colors and different lifestyles; this will be a good foundation for you to learn that loving different types of people enriches who you are. It gives dimension and facets to your own character, it will help you grow, help you understand your own beliefs, and add depth and experience to your life. Love people. If you cannot love them, let them go. Never fester hate, resentment, or bitterness. It gets you nowhere. Always forgive; it will be more liberating for you than the people who do you wrong.
Use your words.
It's important to know that it's okay to be angry. Life is not fair. Things will happen that make us angry, sad, frustrated or hurt. You are always entitled to your emotions. We cannot always control how things make us feel. However, we can, and should, always control how we react. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry-- a quick tempered man displays folly. You can never take back a word after it has been spoken or a promise after it has been broken. Acting out in anger can really hurt others and yourself. Talk through your feelings and express your emotions, they matter, and it's hard for them to go away if you ignore them. You can learn lessons and significantly grow, even from things that make you angry. When you choose your words wisely and act accordingly with your actions, you will be heard more loudly.
Respect yourself.
One of the most important things you will have in your life is your reputation. Be confident, be proud, and always strive to be better. If you don't respect yourself, neither will others. Obey the law, be a good friend, be honest, never stop learning, never stop dreaming, and work hard at all things. Always give your best-- to people, to tasks, to yourself. Never develop a sense of entitlement. Never take anything that isn't yours. I promise, anything you earn as a result of hard work feels so much better than any handout or gift somebody else could ever give you. When you fall: get up, dust yourself off, admit your faults and work hard to not repeat mistakes. Don't be too critical on yourself; please, always love and forgive yourself.
Focus on the good. Be the light.
There is a lot of bad in this world. Every day the news has more sadness, corruption, and crime to share. Be aware of what is going on around your community, country and world. The bad things can intimidate you, discourage you, and weigh you down. Don't let it suck you in or pull you down. Always remember there is so much more good in this world than bad. Every day there are people achieving dreams, serving, helping, and loving others. Find them. Be one of them. Let the good things of this world inspire you, challenge you, and encourage you. Hope and light can always drive out darkness. Let your light shine. Seek ways to be the good and make this world a better place. You cannot change the world, but you can change the world for one, one person at a time.
Hurry and come soon, I cannot wait to meet you! I already love you more than you will ever know.
On the t.v. I watched burning cars, burning buildings, clouds of smoke and tear gas, baseball bats through windows, stealing, language, emotions.... total chaos.
And, so, my son, I write you this letter after sitting down and watching all the Ferguson coverage.
I wish I could hold you tight and cover your eyes forever from the bad things of this world. But I can't. All I can do is teach you, pray for you, and love you. And because I love you, I offer you these wishes for your life.
Love People.
There are lots of different colors, beliefs, lifestyles and people in this world. Be quick to love and slow to judge. You don't have to always agree with choices people make, nor do you have to associate yourself with them, but never think you're better than them. You are only different from them. You will see in your own family that we have different colors and different lifestyles; this will be a good foundation for you to learn that loving different types of people enriches who you are. It gives dimension and facets to your own character, it will help you grow, help you understand your own beliefs, and add depth and experience to your life. Love people. If you cannot love them, let them go. Never fester hate, resentment, or bitterness. It gets you nowhere. Always forgive; it will be more liberating for you than the people who do you wrong.
Use your words.
It's important to know that it's okay to be angry. Life is not fair. Things will happen that make us angry, sad, frustrated or hurt. You are always entitled to your emotions. We cannot always control how things make us feel. However, we can, and should, always control how we react. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry-- a quick tempered man displays folly. You can never take back a word after it has been spoken or a promise after it has been broken. Acting out in anger can really hurt others and yourself. Talk through your feelings and express your emotions, they matter, and it's hard for them to go away if you ignore them. You can learn lessons and significantly grow, even from things that make you angry. When you choose your words wisely and act accordingly with your actions, you will be heard more loudly.
Respect yourself.
One of the most important things you will have in your life is your reputation. Be confident, be proud, and always strive to be better. If you don't respect yourself, neither will others. Obey the law, be a good friend, be honest, never stop learning, never stop dreaming, and work hard at all things. Always give your best-- to people, to tasks, to yourself. Never develop a sense of entitlement. Never take anything that isn't yours. I promise, anything you earn as a result of hard work feels so much better than any handout or gift somebody else could ever give you. When you fall: get up, dust yourself off, admit your faults and work hard to not repeat mistakes. Don't be too critical on yourself; please, always love and forgive yourself.
Focus on the good. Be the light.
There is a lot of bad in this world. Every day the news has more sadness, corruption, and crime to share. Be aware of what is going on around your community, country and world. The bad things can intimidate you, discourage you, and weigh you down. Don't let it suck you in or pull you down. Always remember there is so much more good in this world than bad. Every day there are people achieving dreams, serving, helping, and loving others. Find them. Be one of them. Let the good things of this world inspire you, challenge you, and encourage you. Hope and light can always drive out darkness. Let your light shine. Seek ways to be the good and make this world a better place. You cannot change the world, but you can change the world for one, one person at a time.
Hurry and come soon, I cannot wait to meet you! I already love you more than you will ever know.
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