dear danielle,

this letter is to be written to someone out of my state. and you're the person i'd like to write to. i really appreciate you. knowing that you read these things that i write is very important to me. and i want you to know i read everything that you write too. i think i'm going to start commenting on them, actually. because i know it's nice to have some feedback. you're an amazing person, danielle. i know you're going through some struggles right now. it's best to focus on the things that make you happy. don't let the concerns you have for other people bring you down. i know what that's like. and i can tell you from experience that it feels so much better to be free of that. of everyone else's worries and problems. it's important to care for them still. but we don't need to take on their burdens. once you realize that a huge amount of the hurt and confusion in your life is actually the hurt and confusion in everyone else's life, you can let it go. for one minute, think about only you. about what makes you happy and where you need to go and be. think about the moments in your life when you're the happiest and the saddest. and get rid of the sad things. it sounds difficult. but once you realize that life is not about being in pain and being confused all the time, it's really easy to drop those unnecessary feelings. you have such a brilliant mind and so much potential to unleash on the world. don't doubt yourself. let it ride. that's what life is. it's not only about the struggles and pain. just let it ride. that's the best advice i can give to you. it's true freedom being able to walk out the door and just smell the air. to be able to just listen to music. or just watch a movie. it's the "just" things that matter. let yourself be happy. wholly happy. and then your life is going where it needs to go. other people matter. but other people don't matter. be happy, danielle. i have my sincerest wishes and hopes that you will be completely happy. if something is bothering you right now, as you're reading this, drop it. let it go. make yourself some tea or coffee and sit down with a great book. or a great movie. turn off your phone. find contentedness in being with yourself doing something you enjoy. you have this ability. you're such a strong person. have faith in yourself. you're going places, kid.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
love,
brianna.