In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “From You to You.”Write a letter to your 14-year-old self. Tomorrow, write a letter to yourself in 20 years.

Dear Angsty Teen,

You are embarking upon a marvelous journey called life. As you head out, the scenery looks bleak. Glorious mountain peaks are shrouded in fog. Fertile valleys are subject to intense rainstorms. Sometimes it will feel like you are standing on a precipice alone, with nowhere to turn.

Blog2015rs0216Climb the mountain. Wait for the fog to clear. Mountains are hard to climb, but the view from the top is spectacular.You will see for miles in the distance. The air is clean and clear. Cars on the road below are mere ants, plugging along from point A to point B. You may even look down to see an eagle soaring above them. When the fog rolls in again, you will be above it, and you will see that though the fog may be dense, the sun still shines.

Blog2015rs0218Walk through the rain. Accept getting wet. You may find yourself huddling in a rocky alcove or under a tree with fellow wanderers. You are not alone in your travels. When the rain lets up, you will be amazed by the greenery and the profuse blooms that follow. Around you life will buzz with activity, and you will be a part of the picture. Even the desert blooms after a rain.

And on that precipice, alone, raise your eyes to the heavens and wait for the sun to rise. Look up. Feel the thinness of the air. See the world before you. Look in the direction you wish to go. Walk on the edge if you must, but resist the fear of falling. Look down and do not be afraid. Find the place you wish to be. Anchor yourself to the precipice itself, keep hold of your rope, and gently rappel yourself back down to safety. As you continue on your path, the precipice will become a beautiful scene in the distance, the dizzying heights no more than a fading memory.

Angsty teen, life is a journey, not a frozen moment in time. If you are willing to weather the storms and overcome the obstacles, you will see the beauty that surrounds you. You just have to get through the tempest.

In love and wisdom,

Your future self