To My Younger Self

I wish that you knew then

The things that I know now

In hopes that you would listen

To the wisdom I endow

I would tell you not to worry

Or to sweat the little things

To live within the questions

That life so often brings

I would tell you that your beauty

Is something deep inside

To remind you of your worth

When your self-esteem is tried

I would tell you not to fear

The complicated choices

To listen to yourself

Among discordant voices

I would tell you to be bold

And go against the grains

For you cannot live your life

Letting others take the reins

I would tell you to be truthful

Admitting when you fall

Before we learn to walk

We first must learn to crawl

I would tell you not to think

That perfection can be real

And anger, hurt, and loneliness

Are growing pains we feel

I would tell you to be open

To the words that people share

As we learn from others struggles

And the crosses that they bear

I would tell you most of all

To live your life in love

Filling hearts with color

They are often devoid of

When life is lived in love

The heart is set ablaze

There is breath within the spirit

As true presence marks our days

-C. O'Connell-