A letter to my daughter

Just to set this up my daughter has been having a rough year and lots of issues at college. I wrote her this email today and thought it might help some of my fellow Lightworkers through tough times...

To My Beautiful Daughter,

I still gotta chuckle and wonder if you think I've gone crazy or am just spouting unusual wisdom compared to the padre you grew up with. Do not to worry, I am not going crazy or having the mid-life crisis. Otherwise I'd have a corvette and a 25 yr. old mistress ;-) . This email is full of things my dad would have never said to me. He was the pull your head out of your ass type because that's what guys back in his day did. No touchy feely shit. Your a man and men think like men and act manly. But I have more of grandma/feminine side in me than grandpa prefers and henceforth I write this email. My best advise is try to only keep positive thoughts about your situation and you CAN manifest a positive outcome to your situation. This has helped me a ton and since you are a lot like me, it just might work for you. Whether you like it or not - you're a lot like me - sorry, we share DNA.

Life is more than chasing after goals or the American dream - don't worry about the future, concern yourself only with the moment at hand, the future will take care of itself. It is ok to have goals but not to beat yourself up over missing them - especially if you have given it your best. Goals most of the time only bring pain, give yourself a direction instead - and if one direction doesn't work, try another. Problems from the past are just that - the past - and doesn't do anything for you today but cause pain. Release everything in your life that does not serve you in the now! People, things, and emotions all should be considered. Your future is determined by the now. Problems are ok to have and it's ok to do something about them, use them as a learning tool and not a crutch. I have learned by not dwelling on my past and accepting problems as ok and not life limiting, that I am the happiest I have ever been! That is why you seem me reacting differently to your issues. Not that I don't care or will never get mad again - just the opposite - unfortunately I am human and problems are a part of life.

I try very hard to only see the beauty and goodness in things even if they seem bad and thank god/the universe for all the good things around me. I also thank god/universe every night for giving me such a great family and even thank him for the bad things! Appreciate everything in life good or bad. Remember - life is only a ride!!! And how you view the ride is what life becomes. People I have known for years are telling me I seem different, happier, and it ain't just the Prozac talking - hehe! I was never really suicidal in the classic sense, but I had times I wished I was not of this earth anymore, I call them dark times - but that was just the ego/drama/human side of me talking. I was miserable at MPW and needed out, I got out. I then realized later it wasn't the job. Oh, I was happier for a while at Fabricators but soon I grew dark again. What I figured out it was all the way I was viewing my life and living my life that was causing my pain! My personal dramas were killing me. And it all came to light when I broke my hand in anger last summer. I knew things had to change. I have experienced that by reducing and eliminating the drama in your life and you WILL be happier.

Try hard not to continue negative thoughts/thinking about things - they only manifest more problems. It is a lot like wishing, you don't wish for bad things right? By only focusing on negative thoughts you draw negative situations! Don't get me wrong either, I am still fighting negativity after about 8 months and I still see old thoughts creeping back in. But I remember what it's all about and the bad thoughts go away. It's not coming all that easy for me but I'm am still happier than I have ever been. Also in response I began a spiritual journey, added meditation, plus a new way of thinking to my life that has actually has opened new doors and calmed the drama in my life. No I didn't join a cult or religion...LOL. In fact I am still seeking my spiritual path and keeping my mind open to all possibilities in life and the universe. Remember this process won't happen all at once but within months your life can be headed in a good direction. Re-commit yourself - if it doesn't work out - step back and look at things with your heart - not your ego or mind! As your tattoo says "Love conquers all" - it is still true. Keep love, forgiveness, and gratitude in your heart and toss out any drama and fear!

Do not worry about your sister and what she has done. We are all different and have reasons we are the way we are. I know you don't feel it now but you are actually the one learning the valuable lessons by struggling! Remember, the master has more thoughtfulness for his student that struggles, for he knows that student is trying! You have a path in life and you will find it. I can't promise it will be easy or it will happen in X number of years. But it will happen! It is hard at times to watch you going through this dark time but I believe in my heart you will come out of it and will be stronger for it, (sorry about the cliche but it's true).

You are a strong spirit - remember when I used to get mad at you and you would just stare me down and dare me to do something about it. If you can harness that energy and apply it towards bringing about good change, you can be or do anything! There is a little secret out there right in front of you. One that I have only recently discovered and until I woke up this year and smelled the coffee, I didn't know what it was and that others knew it - but there are entire communities devoted to it. And some day you will wake up to it. Yes I am different now. The old me was an ego driven mindless robot just going through the motions of life to get to the other side. It's cliche but it really is the journey, not the destination that life's about.

Just remember we love you just the way you are AND unconditionally! We may not always agree with things you do or say - but that is our problem - not yours. You have a choice to learn the hard way or the easy way. But it is totally your choice as it was mine. Unfortunately I had to learn the hard way. And maybe that is the way of our family line...we only learn the hard way! So be it!

I hope in some way this has helped you out. Even if you poo-poo everything I have said, I hope that this might at least make you stop for a minute and think. I really am not crazy...just awakened to the truth about life! I came to this earth for a reason and I believe that reason was to teach and help others. I have no regrets in my life and accept it for what it is. Too bad it took me 46 years to realize this... I am not ashamed of it either. As long as it helped me out of my dark times who cares?!? Long story, short - your feelings and perceptions make your life what it is... you create your own reality!

Always remember - You are much more than you think you are. And soon you will realize it!

Love always,

Padre