Dear 18 Year Old Self,

Stop.

Breathe in.

Not everyone you meet is your friend. Learn to be skeptic. Sadly, blood is not always thicker than water. The world is filled with pungent bitterness in every corner and the acidity will attempt to consume you.

Stop.

Breathe out.

Not everyone you meet is your enemy. Learn to trust. Seek to be curious, not judgmental. You won't take the traditional path; the passage you choose will teach you many lessons. Dream spaciously. Set sky-high standards. You will achieve any goal, big or small, as long as you stick to it.

Stop.

Breathe.

Just breathe.