A Note to the Graduate:
Hey friend!
What an exciting and terrifying season of life you are in! I hope you are spending some time reflecting on the past few years, being present in the moments where you are being celebrated and celebrating the people who got you here.
When you’re ready to look ahead to what’s next, I’d love to offer you a few pieces of advice. If I could go back and sit down with my 18-year-old self at a coffee shop, here’s what I’d say to her:
1.Decide who you want to be, and make the choices that person would make.
You are entering in a new season and it would be a shame to allow the past to hold you back from being the person you want to be.
Who do you want to be?
What do you want to be known for?
What do you want other people to say about you when you are not in the room?
Start becoming that person now.
2. Surround yourself with people who make you better.
The people closest to you should sharpen you and celebrate you. Don’t settle for less.
3. Leave people, places, and organizations better than you found them.
Leave your mark (in a good way please).
4. Spend at least one summer out of your comfort zone.
Travel. Serve. Say yes. Make memories that change you.
5. Invest in a local church
Don’t just be a consumer. Be that weird person who is obsessed with their church. It just might change your life.
6. One day this season will be a story you tell. Write a story you are excited about.
Picture yourself telling your story to your grandkids. Probably don’t write chapters you’ll want to skip over.
7. Don't date or stay with someone out of fear. Singleness is not a disease, it’s a gift.
Did you hear that 18 year old Allie?!
8. Someone else's success does not make you less!
Celebrate others and trust that God has good things in store for you, too.
9. Learn how to actually spend time with God.
It may look different than you think, but this is the best possible thing you can do for yourself.
10. Live from love, not for love.
You are loved. That is who you are. No need to build your life trying to earn it.
Now go be the person God made you to be!
Cheering for you,
Allie
