Dear Max,

When you’re older know that…

You can never please anybody to gain their approval. Any self-aware person knows that and it’s crazy to even try.

The people who love you will always love you, no matter what you do. Those who don’t will always find reasons not to. They will pretend that there’s a slight chance that you can change their mind or heart if you do what they say…but if you do it, it will never be enough…you have to do more. And then, you become their slave. You become a puppet with strings. You become someone that you’re not. You will hate yourself because you are betraying who you are. And then they will blame you because you changed, because you became sad and miserable.

Change for the better because you want to, because you’re ready. Change because you want to grow, because you want to be the best version of yourself. Do not compete with others. Life is not a contest, you don’t have to compare yourself with anyone. Live your life calmly, peacefully, knowing full well that you will get there, in your own time, at your own pace.

Know that imperfection is perfection, it’s part of life. Mistakes will teach you to be more careful. Failure will teach you to be humble. Obstacles will teach you to persevere, to be patient. Success will teach you to have faith, to never give up. Experiencing all of these will teach you that life is more tasteful when lived courageously,  without fear of mistakes, of failures, of difficulties because they are all part of life.

Open your mind to the possibility that your way will not always be the best way. There’s always an opportunity to learn new ways of doing things, maybe more efficient way, but you cannot force these things to others even if you believe your way is the best. Different people do things differently. Respect that.

Loving people will open their heart to everyone. Miserable people will always demand and criticize and blame.

To a loving person, you will always be enough. Choose that. Be that.

Love,

Mom