Dear 16-year-old me: enjoy the time while it lasts

Sabreena+Beneville+ponders+about+her+teenage+years+

Sabreena Beneville ponders about her teenage years

Dear Sabs,

I just wanted to drop a note from future you, 14-years-in-the-future-you, as a matter of fact.

First, I want to tell you to keep up the great work. You have great friends (many of them still play important roles in your life). You are dedicated to school (maybe to a fault, hint! hint!). And you love your family (try to show it more often).

Second, breathe! You run around like crazy, stressed out about the future, both near and distant. Well, speaking from experience, relax! The future is great. You’ll look back and wish that you had spent less time worrying about who you would marry, or what college you would go to, or where you would get your first job. Not that these are not important, because they definitely are, but you’ll wish you spent more time hanging out with Shannon and Sara, trying new things, like drawing, hiking and cooking, and spending quality time with family. Time passes quickly, so don’t take it for granted.

Third, you never buy into the idea that “High school is the best time of your life.” And rightly so. Every year seems to get better and better. I think this happens for one main reason: as you get older, you realize that relationships and experiences are really the most important aspects of life.

Whether it is a friendship, your relationship with Mom and Dad or Grandma and Grandpa, a romantic relationship, or even a professional one, you realize that each person in your life has a special place and serves a purpose. People come and go over the years, but it is how you treat them, what you learn from them, and the memories you build with them while they are present that really matter. Those around you help shape the woman you become, so value and foster those relationships with care and cherish the times you share.

In short, try to focus on what and who is directly in front of you and know that everything will work out. With your hard work and a positive attitude, the sky’s the limit!

Lovingly,

Sabreena

(Your Future Self)

Don’t quit the basketball team senior year! It’s worth the gym time — I promise! Oh! And keep having fun with your hair color, but stay away from the firecracker red!