Today is the first day...

The following is an excerpt from a longer letter written on the first day.

As your father, who though doesn't show it much, loves you, I want you to know that you're not on this journey alone. You're going to have mountain top experiences and valley low times. Laughter and sorrow! Good times and not so good times. Remember that each day offers a new opportunity, yesterday is gone forever, but learn from your mistakes and build upon your successes. Tomorrow never gets here, but always live with the thought of making tomorrow better for you and those around you. That leaves today...make each day count. Enjoy the blessings given to you daily. Take advantage of every opportunity to better yourself.

How can you do that?

1. Be honest with yourself and all with whom you are in contact.

2. Be worthy of who you are! You are Michelle Dawn Campbell - Be proud of that and be careful not to destroy yourself.

3. Be helpful - give a helping hand to those in need. There is always someone who can use some help. Don't close yourself up to only yourself.

4. Be cheerful. Happiness goes a long way. Happy people are healthy people. Cheerfulness shows contentment and satisfaction with what God has given us.

5. Be understanding with those who become or currently are part of your life. You'll have differences of opinions and differences of ideas, especially with your mother and me. Try to see from the other person's side.

6. Be thrifty - not only with your money, but also with your time. Make the best of each day. Use your time wisely. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. Redeem the time. Set aside some moments each day to reflect on the goodness of God.

7. Be courteous - This shows respect for others.

8. Be patient - God didn't give us the mighty Oak trees at once! They are growing! Everything cannot be done at once. Patience is the doing what we can while waiting upon God, without any complaints or murmuring.

This does not complete the list of betterment ideas but if we work on these, what better lives we'll have.

Just like an individual who makes plans to go on a trip that the destination is entirely new, so will you need some help. The traveler must seek advice from someone who has knowledge of the proper route or go to a road map. Using the road map, you'll have to be able to transfer from paper to the road signs to go in the proper direction. The best and most accurate map to follow throughout your lifetime is God's word. Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." You can never go wrong if you pattern yourself after the principles of the Bible. There will never be any direction going in the wrong way, missing the proper exit. But, instead, a most happy and fulfilled life awaits for those who walk accordingly.

I hope that you have a good year.

Love, Dad