Letter to a Brother

Stay 18 always, because the worst accident that ever happens to a person is when he becomes an adult and stops being a child. A child always pursues his dreams – things that give him happiness & purpose. An adult thinks such ideas as stupid....

Greatness has a price and it is a kind of solitude, but one which has its own aura.

Dear brother,

As you turn 18, you have officially entered adulthood. Welcome to the club! But having been through this age, let me tell you – people will not begin to take you seriously overnight because you've crossed 18. But people listen to great ideas, no matter what is the age of the person who proposes it. No doubt, it is a gift to be 18, but soon you will discover that it means nothing. Age is just a number.

You are different and that's not a rare thing. We all are different! However, the tragedy of life is that we try to fit into the world while each of us was born to stand out! Slowly, people get caught in the syndrome of herd mentality — the chronic disorder of following what everyone else is doing. So stay unique!

Stay 18 always, because the worst accident that ever happens to a person is when he becomes an adult and stops being a child. A child always pursues his dreams - things that give him happiness & purpose. An adult thinks such ideas as stupid. Why? Because all adults think like that. Take up responsibilities but remain a child at heart, always!

However, adults will criticize you if you ever lead such a life, because they will see that you're happy, because you have been able to keep that child within you, alive. They will try to coax you to grow up, so that you become serious without any reason, and forget to laugh, as well. They will tell you to follow dogmas without asking you to be rebellious. If you don't listen to them, then they will scare you and condemn you to a life of eternal solitude.

Well, brother, what is the use of staying in the midst of a crowd if you feel lonely among them? Better, accept that melancholy which gives you happiness. Greatness has a price and it is a kind of solitude, but one which has its own aura.

Great people are not born; they become great by pursuing something they are passionate about - always through perseverance. They don't believe in moment of brilliance, because such moments never last long. Great people leave a legacy and legacy is something that takes time to build.

I cannot imagine someone being passionate about anything for a long duration of time, if it's not his dream. Follow your dreams! They somehow lead you to your purpose in life.

Blessed are those who know their purpose, but great are those who follow their dreams and never ever abandon them!

May these wisdom serve you in life as you've entered that magical figure of 18! 18 is special, so are all other numbers!

Happy Birthday!

Your brother

Note: This letter was written in 2015.