You are perfect

If I could leave behind advice
in a book 
for some lucky (or maybe unlucky)
kid to find, 
I would tell them 
be yourself,
but try not to stick out too much.

Be nice, 
but only to those who deserve it.

Always try your best,
but don't work so hard you have no time for fun. 

People aren't always who they seem to be,
but don't second guess yourself.

I would tell them
being "popular" is overrated, 
but being "unpopular" can make you feel awful and self-consious. 

Live in the moment,
but think ahead and plan for things going awry. 

Embrace and celebrate the positive, 
but don't keep the negative inside of you. 

Don't talk about people behind their backs,
but know that somebody is probably talking behind yours. 

Be a better person than the mean kids, 
don't ever sink down to their level. 

Be nice to everyone,
it usually pays off in the end. 
But don't be a fake. 


But who am I kidding?
I can't say all of that.
So here is what I would really write:

Don't let anybody change who you are. 
People aren't always nice,
sometimes they are downright evil.
But you are amazing.
You can get through anything.
and you are perfect. Just. The. Way. You. Are.
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.