Dearest friend,

I know it's been a crazy past few weeks, but you're alright! Don't make things worse on yourself.

 I know right now things don’t look good. I know right now you feel like you’ve been sucker-punched and aren’t sure how you’ll stand back up again.  I know you are scared.

I don’t know what tomorrow holds.  I don’t know how you’ll get through it.  I don’t even know that you will get through it.

But I believe, because I have to, that you will.   For a million and one reasons, I believe you will.

And I hope you will lean on your family, your friends, me, to get you through the times when you feel weak.  I hope you allow yourself to be a little bit selfish right now, to do what you want, what you need, not what everyone else expects you to do.  I hope you know how very loved you are, by people you know and people you’ve never met.

I wish for you strength and peace and power.  And sanity and laughter and wisdom to still find your happy through it all.

Breathe in, breathe out. Calm your nerves and relax your mind. Have confidence in the fact that you are doing your best and know that you have a good support system to back you up if you need anything.

Stress is a part of life, but so is choosing peace. It is easy to get lost in the worries and pressures of life, but it would be more beneficial to let go. Work hard in what you do, but then once it's over and done with, do not stress about it. It is in the past.

Sometimes, you just need a break from it all. Take some time out of your day to go outside and enjoy the nice weather. Nature has a natural calming effect and can help to give you a much-needed break.

Do not to focus on the negative stresses, but try to have fun amidst the chaos. Go hang out with friends. Make memories. Laugh a little. Life is not meant to be a boring to-do list.

Also, make sure you're sleeping! It's important that you get sleep during a time of great mental stress. Your brain actually needs that time to rest in order to be able to function well. A lack of sleep and added stress is not a good combination.

You're not alone. Know that I love you and that you can always come to me if you need anything. We can laugh, cry, and eat tons of junk food together. I will always be there for you if you need me. I don’t mind to help you carry your burdens. I would feel like a horrible friend if I didn’t.

There's no need to get all upset and anxious about the things that are going on now, because odds are they are not going to matter later on in your life.

Seek out time for prayer. Having quiet time devoted to something other than school can help you feel less stressed. Being able to remove your burdens for a time and pursue the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Friend, you are talented. The standards you are trying to meet cannot even begin to scratch the surface of uncovering the amazing person you are. You have so much value and worth that is not tied to any number. You have value because you are who you are. Don't worry about the days ahead because as long as your character perseveres, you're going to be just fine. I believe in you, and many more believe in you, too.

What I really want to say to you is this: no one has it figured out. No one ever has everything figured out. Some people are better at hiding it than others, but life is unpredictable (something I know you know all too well) and even if we have a plan, 10/10 times the plan will be altered and tailored to who you are at every stage in your life.

I don’t want you stressing about your future because a gem of a friend such as you will always have a bright future. Will there be crappy people and unfortunate circumstances encountered every day in the future? Yes, definitely. However, surrounding yourself with the positive and wonderful people you have in your life will ensure a bright future.

You’ve got a support system—not many people can say that. You have people in your life who care about your future and will give advice and pull strings where and when they can to see you succeed. And you will succeed—you’ve got to believe it because we all believe in you. I believe in you.

It is up to us to create our own happiness. There are influences on our happiness, of course, but these influences should not be so strong that we lose sight of ourselves and how important we are in the lives of others—especially to each other. I will support every decision you make, regardless of how absolutely stupid it might be. And we both know you make extremely stupid decisions, but if I don’t support you, who will? I might not support your decisions, but I support you.

I think what I am trying to say to you is that you are okay. Life is happening and you need to hang in there and know that people love you. If you find someone you care for and he doesn’t love you too, lose him. Shake off the negativity in your life and know that you have so much time and so many more decisions to make in the future that will have positive impacts on you. You just have to get rid of negativity and wait and see what happens.

Friend, don’t settle for anything less than what equals the absolute treasure that you are.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity a man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can anyone keep warm alone? Though one my be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken."

I promise to be there to pick you up when you fall. When the day has too much in store or the "to-do" list is too long to bear, I will bring your body back. I will quietly and discreetly unload your plate and release you from burden. I will speak peace into your loneliness by being an honest and sincere listener.

I will listen to understand and not to reply. I will appeal to your heart and consider your triggers before responding. I will train my mind to consider your feelings and use language that blesses you. Remember that God is our third strand. He is our bond, our strength, and grace sufficient.

With lots of love and strength
Lavanya
(Or whatever you feel like;))