Author: Sanjit
Hey there. I don’t know where you live. I don’t know how old you are, but I hope you are happy and well.
I do not know what you will be going through when you read this. But it will pass, just like how everything always does. Sometimes, things feel stagnant, and you will feel lost. But don’t be so hard on yourself all the time. You are already better for wanting to be better. Appreciate what you have right now. It is okay to feel whatever you are feeling. Life is noisy, confusing even, but it is still beautiful. You are here for a reason. Never believe anything else.
Don’t compare yourself with others. You will never be better than or worse than anyone. But enjoy the process; take pains to walk towards where you want to go. Every obstacle is an opportunity. But in the end, we try to find meaning to life in those moments where we feel the most alive. You are most alive doing the things you love. A late-night walk. An empty street. A couple of hours on a lonely beach. A salty summer breeze. Read a poem you love. And I promise you, you will find yourself.
Be that person you would love to hang out with. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good. Never fear being judged by others. Fear losing yourself trying to please them. Do the things you love doing and do them with courage. Amidst all the haste and impatience, take your time to try and be optimistic. There is so much to explore, so much you can do, so much to live for.
Never forget your roots or where you come from. They are a part of who you are, so hold onto them. Remember the hot sunny afternoons in Erode. Remember the occasional drizzle and what it meant to grandpa. Think about the random but spontaneous drives past the hills. And the sound of looms, machines and the occasional train. It will always be home.
Strive to live life fully. Don’t ignore people or things just because they appear new and unfamiliar. Every new person brings with them a new story. Build tolerance and patience. Learn to listen and learn to love and be gentle with yourself, learn to hope and to have faith.
I know someday I’ll be the you reading this and I’ll look back, giggle, reminisce and even cringe a little bit. That is what I do reading my 9th-grade journal. But it lets me appreciate the person I’ve become. I hope this letter does that too.
:’ )