The girl I use to be, who still comes back from time to time, could have used some advice and knowledge that has become a little easier to understand recently. So critics be damned I'm gonna give it to her. This isn't really meant to apply to anyone else, but if others can relate then the world just might be a small place after all. Here goes a letter to the girl who grew up different.

To the Girl who Grew Up Different,
I don't know at what age you're reading this and I don't know which struggle you're going through but I do know you survived. I have some advice that's gonna be hard to swallow, kinda like your vitamins when your tonsils were still in, but it's not impossible.

     Don't worry about what you see in the mirror. The person you see is all messed up thanks to your mind and nobody else sees all the imperfections that you do.
     Stop expecting others to follow the golden rule; not everyone will treat others as they wish to be treated...all the time, not even you. But always try to be an example of what you want to see in others.
    Never stop caring for others but stop putting yourself on the back burner for everyone else. You need to take care of yourself sometimes, it's not a crime.
     Always be willing to forgive and sometimes compromise. It will make you happier in the end.
     Whatever happens don't allow it to change the kindness in your heart or the beauty you see in the world. You control your reactions to life's journey. Never stop being amazed by a beautiful sunset or calmed by the ocean it reminds you of the beauty of life.
      Stay open minded. Everyone finds happiness in their own way it's just another part of who we are. To each their own.
     Don't hold all of your feelings and frustrations in. Whether you've met them yet or not, there are people that you will get to choose to make friend's and some of those friends will become family. They want to be there for you, let them. It's OK to show emotion and it's OK to not always be fine.
     There is no such thing as normal. No two people are the same. No one has a perfect life. Yes you are different and grew up differently too but it is because of these differences that amazing people love you.
      You are stronger than you will ever know. You will feel horribly broken at times, have your heart shattered to a million pieces, be knocked flat on your face, and question every ounce of who you are. Yet you will gather the pieces, find the answers within yourself, and stand back up.
      Follow your heart. Don't let the doubts and worries change your mind. You know you better than anyone else does, trust yourself.
   
    Remember these things. Repeat them to yourself.

 On any given day I can name off at least a dozen lessons I wish you hadn't had to learn so early. There are even some lessons that still make me cry. And I know on really bad days you wish you could change all of it but one day you will grow to accept that these things helped you become you. Being different is a great thing, sometimes you just have to remind yourself.

Good Luck,

The Woman You Grow To Be