My advice to Emma:

 

In this between time–finishing school and not yet beginning another program–please take the time to just be. Sleep in if you'd like, all day if you are able. Sit in your favorite sitting spot.  Listen to music, light a candle, eat good chocolate, whatever it is that makes your heart happy as you sit. Color, scrapbook, take photos, read. Cook something that you enjoy to eat, cook something that you've never cooked before. Walk around the block. Do something in nature. Look up at the sky–the sunrise, the clouds, the sunset, the moon, the stars. Listen to the wind. Let the trees, the grass, the air speak to you. Enjoy quiet time with yourself. Then continue honoring this alone time throughout the rest of your life. You will come to appreciate and treasure all that you find as you allow yourself to just be.

-JoyChristin at http://unfoldingyourpathtojoy.wordpress.com

I am gathering wisdom from the far corners of the earth to give my older daughter, Emma, as she graduates from high school. What would you say to her? Or to your own 17-year-old self? What thoughts would you ask her to consider? You can submit your advice (instructions here) and 37 of those will be posted over the next 37 days, one each day, culminating in a free e-book of all the submissions after her graduation on June 14th.