Introduction

My Dear Grandchild,

    It goes without saying that I will love you with all my heart, unconditionally; but what words of wisdom can I share, what advice can I give, that will make your life happier and more gratifying?
     I thought long and hard, and decided to create a blog.  A journal of sorts, where I could write down things I felt were important for you to know as you travel along this journey we call life.  Some of my "words of wisdom" you will not understand until you are older.  I may also repeat myself, but just phrase things differently, because some things bear repeating.  Some of the advice I give is just common sense, but important nonetheless.
     I pray that everything I tell you will help make your life a little easier. 
                                                   Love, your Oma

Be your own best friend

It is said that you can be your own best friend or your own worst enemy.  When you convince yourself that you are not good enough because of what someone else has said, or what you have told yourself, then you become your own worst enemy.

When you quit believing what others say and treat yourself with kindness and respect you become your own best friend.  Once you get in touch with your inner greatness, you will have all the love, confidence, and courage you need to live a happier life.  By believing in yourself and becoming your own best friend you won’t need someone else to validate who you are and what you can or can’t do.  Remember, NO ONE will ever know you better than you know yourself.

Bullies

Bullies can make your life miserable by hitting, threatening, teasing, and calling you name.  Some bullies are looking for attention. They might think bullying is a way to be popular or to get what they want.  I think a lot of bullies pick on people because of their own insecurities.  By bringing attention to the faults of others they can hide their own insecurities in the hopes that no one will recognize theirs.  If you ever have to deal with a bully it’s very important that you tell your parents.  They can come up with the right solution to take care of the problem before it gets out of hand. 

How do you want to feel?

Instead of asking yourself where you would like to be or what you would like to accomplish in the next 1-5 years, ask yourself how you want to FEEL.  Do you want to be happy, peaceful, more confident, etc.?  Once you know what it is you want to feel, then look at what goals, etc., will get you there.  Sometimes we think only of the job that will bring us the most money, but not how it will impact my life.  Maybe you make lots of money, but you have to work all the time get it.  So you have the money, but not the time to enjoy it.  Ask yourself, how is this job, move, person, going to make me FEEL?

Stress and Fear

You need to handle your stresses, emotions and fears on your own accord, without the use of artificial aid, or you will never be as happy and confident as you should be.  Alcohol, drugs, etc., give you a false sense of security, and once the effect wears off your confidence is diminished, leaving you worse off than before.  Each time you face your stresses or fears head-on, without assistance, you gain confidence that will stick with you indefinitely.  You will become stronger and more confident knowing you can handle anything that comes your way.

Be Safe!

As your grandmother I want you to always be safe and protected.  But in life there are no guarantees.  Accidents happen and the best I can do is give you some little tips to protect yourself.  Some things are fundamental; like looking both ways before you cross the street, not talking to strangers, and not playing with matches.  But other things are more serious and you will need to use common sense and be prepared.  Here are my suggestions:

• Always wear a seat belt when riding in a car.
• Learn bike safety and always wear a helmet.
• When playing sports always wear safety gear.
• If a stranger confronts you and you feel threatened, run for safety.  If you can't run, yell for help.  Yelling, "Fire!" will normally get people's attention a lot quicker then calling for help.
• Learn how to dial 911 in an emergency and know your home address.
• When you are old enough take a CPR and First Aid class.  This way you are always prepared to help in an emergency.
• Learn Evacuation and Lock Down procedures.  When you are old enough to understand your parents and I will train you what to do in case of a fire, earthquake, or other emergency.  

This is by no means a complete list, but your parents and I will try our best to prepare you for most situations.  We love you and we want to keep you safe, by keeping you informed.

Be Who You Are Meant To Be

Don't try to be what you aren't.  Find out who you really are, and be the best you can possibly be.
As you grow up you will admire people who have a certain way about them.  Something that you find very appealing.  People who are popular, celebrities in the music or film industry, models, or even athletes.  You might want to be just like them.  So you begin to emulate them, by dressing like they do, acting like they do, and even talking like them.  The only problem is that you are not them.  You are you.  Take the time to find out who you are, not who others are.  The people that are self-confident are those that are being their best selves.  Find out who you are and be the best you possible.