Dear High School Me,

It’s only been six years since being at Douglas County High School, but boy do I remember the flood of thoughts that encompass those days. I remember the anxiety of figuring out where to fit in. I can recall the panic of not knowing where I’m headed in the future. I can recollect the feeling of confusion and loneliness at times. Dear, high school me – it’ll be okay.

No one is going to remember the raggedy hand-me-down Broncos shirt and high-water jeans you’re wearing. No one cares that you don’t have your future perfectly lined out; most college students haven’t made it that far. Stop trying to fit in various cliques. I know the jocks are where the people gravitate to, the preppy kids are where the money’s at, and the brainiacs seem like they have life figured out.

Here’s the deal. Only a small percentage of the jocks will go on to play college ball while the rest settle back into the “normal” way of life. The preppy kids will get humbled by a thing called “tuition.” The brainiacs may seem like they have life figured out, but I’m convinced that’s relatively impossible for anyone. So where does that leave those who become successful? Any one of those categories has opportunity for success regardless of their background or persona. It all boils down to two principles – kindness and truth.

Solomon in all of his wisdom told his initial reader to keep these two characters bound around their neck and written on the tablet of their heart (Pr. 3:3 NASB). Why? Keep reading; “so you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.” If you practice kindness and seek truth, you’re winning both parties; man and God. I don’t care where your career takes you, I don’t care what state you move to. As long as you are remaining in favor with man and God, you’re excelling more than you can imagine. People will remember you by what you practice daily.

Still, even six years later, you remember those kids who were kind to you. You’ve forgotten the kids who were mean and egotistical and the chances are likely that others have as well. Not only that, but you will come to greatly appreciate those who have given you pure truth – it’s a hard commodity to come by in the world. So here’s the takeaway. Forget about the worries and stresses of the future because you’ve got a God much bigger. Be kind and show love to those around you and you’ll be surprised at how many people will remember it in the future. Seek and speak Truth because it’s likely the most pure ambition we have in this world. Most importantly, just be you. God didn’t create you to be someone else, He had intentionality in crafting you and He could really use you.

I know it’s easier said than done, but don’t let the anxiety and stress of high school cloud you too much. Enjoy the rent-free life with the blessings of friends and family in one central geographic location. Compliment your mother’s cooking because it’s leagues better than the cereal you’re fixing to eat in the near future when you’re out on your own. Do what you can to preserve your close friends but don’t be afraid to detach from toxic friendships. Be consistent and prayerful and everything will be a-okay.

Tyler King