I want the world to be your classroom.

Don’t be afraid to step off the path taken by most. Allow your curiosity and passions to lead the way and navigate you to places that are rich in meaning according to your unique spirit. Walk with confidence in your heart knowing that anything is possible and that every experience, from the highest highs to the lowest lows, will contribute to your growth and shape who you become.

Know that many people will cross your path in life. Some will hurt you, betray you and some will confuse you. Not all people are meant to stay in your life forever. However, they all will have a purpose.

Be grateful for the lesson and don’t stick around.

Surround yourself with those you’re drawn to because they lift your spirit, encourage and inspire you, make you feel alive and bring out the best in you. Cherish and nurture these people – they love you for who you are and they allow your spirit to shine as it should.

Respect differences in other people’s choices and park your judgment, it will never serve you. Your way is not superior, simply one of many. You can’t change or control other people’s behavior, so don’t waste your energy trying. Focus on what you can control—your own reactions and attitude.

There’s only so much you can learn within four walls and one town, city or country. Respect other cultures and embrace the people. Take time to get to know them—there’s something truly beautiful about having a strong connection with someone that is from a completely different world than you.

Be abundant in perspective and compassion and aim to make a difference, one person at a time. It will humble you and you will appreciate what you have. Aspire for humility and gratitude—you cannot put a price on either and they will make you wealthy for life.

See through materialism and value the things that are truly important in life—relationships, love, nature, experience and adventure. At some stage in your life, it may seem important to wear certain brands and buy the latest trends but living life to the fullest is what brings the type of happiness that “stuff” cannot come close to.

My advice is to not rush into marriage or motherhood. They both require a lot of hard work and you can no longer think only of yourself. Enjoy those young wonderfully selfish years in your 20’s—you cannot get them back. Choosing a life partner will be one of the most important decisions in your life. Live a little first and know who you are and what’s important to you.

Be good to your parents (especially me, your mother). Even though there will be many times when all you want to do is roll your eyes and give me a piece of your mind, know that the love I have for you is the type of love that is impossible to put into words. Only when you have your own children will you fully understand the depth of my love for you.

Don’t let those beautiful spirits stop shining,

Your mother

Julie Feuerheerdt is the mother of four and founder of HipMum: a website that acknowledges and celebrates the spirit of the woman behind the mother. She currently resides with her family in Nicaragua where simplicity, nature, time together and helping others have become a priority. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her blog at www.hipmum/journal

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Ed: Apprentice Canary/ Lynn Hasselberger