Posted on 4/8/2026

(EJ Legacy Network – Navigating Life Struggles) Informational purposes only. Not professional or legal advice.

Growing up, before I reached my 18th birthday, I had plenty of dreams but no real plan for how to reach them. My parents talked to me about life, and they took me to church often. My childhood was shaped by Christian principles and the King James Version of the Bible. Most of what I learned about life came through experience, especially through school and education.

If I could speak to my younger self, there are a few things I would say with honesty and love. I would tell myself to stay in the library as soon as I learned how to read — to make it a second home. I would tell myself to volunteer more: at church, in the community, anywhere I could. And I would tell myself to keep records of everything. Records matter. They help you feel proud of yourself as an adult, and they become proof of your accomplishments on the days when you forget your own worth.

Even on the worst days, when a person feels worthless, looking back at childhood accomplishments can remind you that you always had purpose. I remember participating in a JROTC parade and a city cleanup. Even though I was going through rough moments at school and at home, those experiences showed me that I still had value. At the time, I didn’t understand how important they were, but now I do.

As an adult, I respect things I didn’t fully appreciate as a child. I wish I had helped more in elementary school, even as early as first grade. I also learned to respect students in resource and special education classes. Many of them carried themselves with more heart and self‑respect than the people who judged them. Looking down on others is wrong. I learned that early, and I still live by it. Today, I don’t associate with people who criticize others for their limitations. Everyone has limitations in one form or another. God gives everyone a gift — we just have to learn how to use it to benefit society.

When I moved out of my parents’ home, I wished I had created a packing list. My first move was into the U.S. Army, and that’s where I learned my packing style. If I could do it again, the first thing I would do before moving anywhere is visit a library and speak with a reference librarian to ask what I should prepare for my next location.

Throughout my life, the most helpful people have been librarians, doctors, counselors, social workers, teachers, and tutors. No one knows everything, so it’s wise to talk to multiple people in each field.

If I could start over, I would create a complete list of items to pack before moving out: a desk, bed, file cabinet, printer, desk chair, dressers, a smart TV, and both a desktop and laptop computer — two for home and two for business, with one set as backup. I would pack fourteen sets of clothes, personal hygiene items, an electric or battery‑powered toothbrush, a water pick, toothpaste, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, pajamas, a sofa, and a table.

These are lessons I learned the hard way. This week’s focus — Living as an Adult — is about helping others avoid the same mistakes and build a stronger foundation for their future. Everything I share comes from personal experience and reflection, not from any professional or licensed role.