Day 4

4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year old self if you could.

#1.  Dump him NOW!

#2.  Being smart is awesome!!!  You've been blessed with a brain so use it.  Quit thinking that it will intimidate people and stop playing stupid.  Just because you don't have to study and work hard to pass doesn't mean you should.  Study, work hard, get all A's (because you can) and you won't have any regrets!  You will regret selling yourself short if you dumb yourself down becasue you think it's "the thing" to do. 

#3.  Friends will come and go throughout your life.  You're going to move away from Iowa City soon and you probably won't even see any of those friends again, so put your family first.  Your family will ALWAYS be there for you and they'll be the best friends you could ever ask for. 

#4.  Swallow your pride more.  It will get you in trouble many a time if you don't learn now!!!

#5.  Watch your mother more closely.  Let her teach you how to cook. Because seriously, she's the best cook in the world anyway, and learn from her while you can.  Get rid of your idea that you want to bust out of the "woman stereotype" to cook and clean because one day you will be a mom and do those things ALL. DAY. LONG. and it will be the best job in the world!!!

#6.  Do not keep dating guys because you can see their potential.  Do not date guys because you can see the good in them somewhere.  Date guys that are good..... that don't have to change everything about them to get to their potential.  I know you think that you can change them and make their life better.  And I know that you have the best of intentions but don't.  They will only bring you down eventually.

#7.  Don't worry what the world thinks.  Be your own person and love it!  Not everyone will like you and that's ok. 

#8.  You will marry the best person in the world but you won't realize that until after your first year of marriage!  The first year will be soooo hard and you will think you'll never have a happily ever after but you will.  Be strong, and keep relying on the Lord.  He will lead you through it!  It is not a mistake and you will find such happiness!!! 

#9.  You will be surrounded by such a great group of friends your senior year in your AP classes.  Accept their friendship more readily and hang out with them more.  Don't limit yourself to one guy just because you "like him".  You will regret not having that group of friends later.

#10.  Try your best in the sports you do.  Don't be afraid of failure.  Your family will support you no matter how fast you run, or how high you jump, or how well you dribble the ball.  Just because you aren't the top player doesn't mean you're not good.  Don't use the cop-out that you don't really care and just mess around during practices.  Put the work in and be ok not being the best!  Still include your family in the things you do...... they love you not matter what.