others would live by the rule of selfishness — putting their needs above those of others. they will live lonely lives, and will also be unhappy.
still others will live by the rule of righteousness — trying to show the right path, and admonishing anyone who doesn`t live by that path. they are concerned with others, but in a negative way, and in the end will only have their own righteousness to live with, and that`s a horrible companion.
live your life by the rule of love. love your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, with all of your heart. give to them what they need, and show them not cruelty nor disapproval nor coldness nor disappointment, but only love. open your soul to them.
love not only your loved ones, but your neighbors … your coworkers … strangers … your brothers and sisters in humanity. offer anyone you meet a smile, a kind word, a kind gesture, a helping hand.
love not only neighbors and strangers … but your enemy. the person who is cruelest to you, who has been unkind to you … love him. he is a tortured soul, and most in need of your love.
and most of all, love yourself. while others may criticize you, learn not to be so hard on yourself, to think that you’re ugly or dumb or unworthy of love … but to think instead that you are a wonderful human being, worthy of happiness and love … and learn to love yourself for who you are.
finally, know that i love you and always will. you are starting out on a weird, scary, daunting, but ultimately incredibly wonderful journey, and i will be there for you when i can. godspeed.
love, your dad