My advice to a new college student

One of my oldest friends has a daughter who just started college. I am mailing her a care package this week, with this letter included.

Happy graduation!
Welcome to college!

When I was 18, you were born, and I remember feeling you kick around in your mom's belly. That's a long time to know someone, and I'll tell you something--all that stuff about youth being wasted on the young and time flying and so on? Well, it's true. It just is. When you hit about mid-20's, life speeds up. Let your life tell a good story. Be aware of every day. "Live with a healthy appreciation of death," Rich Mullins once said. We're not gonna be here forever. What story are you going to tell? Keep your eyes open. Be sure to travel as much as possible. Learn another language and not from a textbook but by getting to know speakers of that language. Be fearless but careful. Turn off technology for thirty minutes (at least) every day and stare at the sky. Or trees. Or rain. Or a face of someone you love. Let generosity and compassion lead you. Be moved by poetry, by beauty. Lady Gaga is awesome but never wear a meat-dress or gun-bra. Read these two books. Both changed me. Eat lots of whole grain, nuts, and veggies. Don't shop at Wal-mart because they are evil-doers. Come visit us in Oregon. It's real purty up here. I love you.