NEPHART.COM

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Brother,

you have a lot to see in this life.

Some of it will bruise you,

some of it will bore you,

some of it will teach you

that happiness isn’t loud.

One day you’ll crack the quiet code of kindness

and suddenly the world will feel lighter.

Until then,

be kind to yourself first.

That dream you saw,

the one you never told anyone about,

believe it.

It wasn’t random.

Start working on your art.

Show your skills.

Let people see you.

Connect.

And please,

don’t stay home killing houseflies.

You may think you were good at it.

You weren’t.

They just got bored of you,

fell one by one onto the floor like tired actors,

saying,

“Alright, take the win.

You didn’t defeat us.

We surrendered.”

Listen.

She left you.

It hurts.

But you will move on.

Move like a river,

new every day,

never apologizing for flowing forward.

You’ll think,

maybe I should join politics,

work honestly,

give my years to loving people of this country.

Ambitious?

Yes.

Impossible?

No.

But don’t fall in love with preaching.

Or advice.

Be good.

Do good.

And remember to chill.

Stars will lean toward you.

The moon will light up your heart.

Fly as high as you want,

just keep your feet familiar with the ground.

Your soul will glow.

Dark paths will learn how to shine.

Relax, bro.

You’re doing better

than you think.