Son, one’s 18^th birthday is a milestone in today’s western society. It marks the beginning of your official adulthood. As you have seen already in your brief life and will see more so as you continue forward, perspective and wisdom go hand in hand. You will learn from many people as you journey through this life.  You will receive well intentioned advice from loved ones, including me. Please learn from that advice and learn from your enemies perhaps even more.  Keep them all in the proper perspective.  Ask yourself who is giving you the advice and why. Ask yourself what can you gain from the advice and what can the adviser gain from giving it to you.

Know that you are known by the One About Whom Naught Can Be Said. Many people call this force God or the Universal Force.  As you have learned from Shakespeare, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”  You are not just known by this force you are loved by this force.  This energy is your true father and this earth is your true mother.   Your mother and I are actually physical symbols of that love.  We helped bring you to life and nurture you in the physical realm just as God does on the spiritual realm.   Just as you have respected your physical parents, please respect Father God and Mother Earth. Make choices with that love in mind. Listen to God. God speaks to you every day and answers all of your questions.  Every day I would like you to take a moment to quiet your mind, and to still your thoughts. When you let go of all thoughts your real thinking will begin and you will hear the voice of God. God has always been with you and will always be with you. Know this- You Are Never Alone!!!

Please take time to respect your mother. She loves you and will sacrifice everything for you. This is true of your physical mother and of Mother Earth. Make choices to protect her at all times.  Show her your love every day.  Appreciate her every day. Enjoy the sunrise, the sunset and the stars. Enjoy grass. Enjoy sun, rain, moon and clouds.

I mentioned advice earlier. Listen to it all but filter it through your loving heart. You have been blessed with a compassionate and loving heart. Use that as your filter for all information. I could give you a list of all the qualities one needs to succeed in life. However, I don’t necessarily believe in the concept of a good or bad life. Life is about garnering as many experiences as possible.  Here is where perspective comes in. You may have an experience that some would find deplorable, but with the right perspective, you will realize that it was just a learning opportunity.    Whether you score 5 touchdowns in a game or whether you lose all of your money in a business venture, know that both experiences are just learning opportunities. They don’t define you. You are neither a winner or  a loser – You just are.

In closing, I can’t resist giving you a list of words characteristics or qualities that will help you to just be.

These are your words:

Be perspicacious

Be poised

Be prescient

Be present

Be perspicuous

Be placid

Be peaceful

Be prolific and

Be passionate!!!!