Dear Younger Self . . .

A lot of people are making videos to their younger selves. You see it on Twitter or Facebook. Interesting concept, so I thought I would try it in this blog:
a letter addressed to my 15-year-old self.

Dear Kenny,

You are young and bright and so full of potential. Why are you so uptight and wound up? Lighten up! It’s not a perfect world; never has been and never will be. It's not all black and white.

You have latched onto the Church and joined a seminary to give your life some sense of structure. That’s all fine and well but in the process you are losing touch with your family. I think you may have left home a tad too early.

For heaven’s sake, don’t keep it all inside. Confide in a mentor. Broaden your friendship circle. Take a risk and let people get to know you. Why so serious? Laugh more!

Go out and have fun! Do some mischief; get into trouble sometimes. It’s okay. Read Catcher in the Rye. Yes, there is more to life than what you are experiencing in the seminary. Be open to other possibilities.

Truth to tell, all your inhibitions are only going to come back to haunt your older self. But one thing I do admire about you is your faith. Where did that come from? There is an earnestness in your relationship with God that is unusual for someone your age. I wish I were half as dedicated to prayer in my old age as you are at 15.

By the way, keep up the good work in music. All that practice you are doing on the piano and guitar might seem tedious but, believe me, it’s going to pay off big time!

Hopefully,
Your Older Self