Good ad?vice for the days ahead

Editor,

This is directed to:

The Graduating Class of 2006:

You are about to embark on a journey down the road of life, and it will often branch out on the way. I'd be lying if I told you that any of them will be easy. Life is never like that, I'm afraid. Though some paths may be easier then others, trials will await you no matter which one you choose to trek. But have hope, because; without the bad, we would neither recognize nor enjoy the good.

Adulthood may not be a walk in the park, but that doesn't mean you should shirk from all for fear of being hurt. Because, trouble isn't the only thing that lurks in the shadows. Fun things will always happen in order to counteract the stressful. They won't always occur in sequence, sometimes a lot of hardships may endure before that release finally reaches you. But if all you do is count the bad things, then you'll be far too depressed to ever hope for oa break.

If you ever feel down because of bills, jobs, or relationships; then take a break from them for a while. Because, although it would seem more responsible to drop everything and pick up the "grown-up" mask right out of high school, I wouldn't recommend it. Trust me, it only makes things much worse. That mask is something you have to ease yourself into over time. Now, I'm not saying you should blow everything off and go partying every night. I'm only advising you to deal with the problems that life brings as they come, and enjoy the little things before they're gone.

This first step into the real world is always the hardest and the way you make that step matters a lot. Don't rush in thinking to conquer all the challenges ahead without a second thought. This is your life. Make the most of it.

Rebecca Gibbs

Montana Youth Challenge Graduate

Class 12 — 2005

Polson