My Advice to My Daughter at This Time

Today, my daughter returned to college after spending three wonderful weeks at home during winter break. These past few weeks have been some of the most joyful moments of my life, surrounded by family and cherishing every moment together. As she was preparing to leave, I shared two pieces of advice that I hoped would guide her on her journey: to let go and let God take the lead, and to always meet people where they are.

Letting go is a powerful act, one I wish I had embraced earlier in life. It’s not about giving up, but rather about releasing the need to control every aspect of life and trusting in the process. Letting go has brought me peace, opened doors to new opportunities, and allowed love and God to guide my path. By releasing resentment about the past and detaching from specific outcomes, I’ve learned to focus on the present moment. This shift in mindset has transformed me in ways that are hard to describe. In surrendering, I’ve found strength, growth, and a deep sense of peace. Remember, our thoughts and actions are within our control, while we need to let go of others' opinions and the specific outcomes. Our mindset, character, and attitude are under our control, whereas external factors such as our circumstances and situations are beyond our control, so we must let go of external aspects and allow God to lead.

The second piece of advice I gave her was to meet people where they are. It’s important not to make assumptions or hold unrealistic expectations of others. We all come from diverse upbringings, backgrounds, and cultures, and we each have unique understandings and perceptions. Someone can have a certain understanding or knowledge at the age of 20. At the same time, another person might get that type of understanding or knowledge at the age of 60, or maybe someone else might never get that type of understanding or knowledge. This doesn’t make one person better or worse than another because, in God’s eyes, we are all equal. By meeting people where they are, we can approach them with compassion and understanding, and from that place, decide how best we can support or help them.

As I reflect on these lessons, I feel grateful for the growth they’ve brought into my life. I hope my daughter carries these principles with her as she navigates her own journey. Life is a beautiful, unpredictable path, and embracing these values has made mine so much richer.