Last year, I was asked to write a letter to my nephew who was graduating high school. The letter, along with others, was presented to him during their Senior Breakfast. It was such an honor to be among the people who have impacted his life that I wanted to make sure I used the platform wisely and share some insights that I wished someone would have shared with me at that age. These eight things are directed towards young men but hopefully can be appreciated by all.

1. Remain filled with wonder and curiosity.

There will be various forces in this world that will try to steal your youthful inquisitiveness along your path. They could be peers pressuring you to think their way out of their own insecurity (misery truly does love company) or bitter adults whose perception of the world was solidified in stone and calloused over years ago. Don’t let them steer you away from a path of wonder and adventure. …