Remember: Advice to My Daughter As She Graduates.
Create your image on your own terms, not his, or hers, or theirs or mine. Others must never define you.
I wrote this for my daughter many years ago, before she graduated high school.
To my precious daughter,
Remember to stand tall. Shoulders back. Head up. Carry yourself with the spectacular you are. The world will treat you as you expect to be treated. You are mighty.
Remember that humility is not the opposite of confidence. Humility is to ask, to listen, to learn and to grow.
Remember to apologize. Do this. You must.
Remember to forgive yourself and them. This is very hard. Be patient.
Remember that you’re no one’s fool or doormat or plaything. It’s better to be hated than to hate yourself.
Remember that true friendship begins with trust.
Remember to speak your truth. Some will hate you for this. Do it anyway.
Remember that beauty is by chance, that character is painstaking and earned. Don’t compromise on character, ever.
Remember that your body is a gift to nurture and to share as you decide. Don’t compromise your body, ever.
