Don't Be Them

The world is full of people eager to say:
"Give up."
"Quit now."
"You're not good enough."

Don't be one of those people.

Footprints

As you worry
About your classmates transforming,
Becoming smarter, stronger or faster than you,
Maybe even better than you...

As you fret
About your clothes making you look chubby
Because you still have some baby fat,
And the mean kids at school make fun of it...

As you wonder
If you're good enough to start the next game,
Or skilled enough to make the team next year,
Or smart enough for the science program...

As you agonize
Over a project that was harder than expected,
Or homework that kept you up past midnight,
Or a bad grade on a tough test...

As you watch
Your childhood friend abandon you,
Too afraid to stand at your side
When you go up against a bully...

Know this...

I cry inside when your tears flow.
I feel your failures as if they were my own.
I clench my fist with each injustice.
My heart breaks with yours.

I will
Always hide it from you,
Because you don't need me to fret.
You don't need to worry about me.

I will
Encourage you to climb with all your might,
To learn from your falls and your failures,
To never give up on your dreams.

I will
Warn you about friends caught in the tornado,
Being pulled in all directions, out of their control.
Patience, the storm will reveal your true friends.

I will
Make you realize you're a lion in this jungle.
Bullies and fake friends are weak sheep,
And lions never worry about sheep.

And if none of that works...

I will always listen.
I will always be here.
I will always love you.