Dear Young People

Dear Young People,

I am very grateful for the opportunity to write this open letter to you. As the 2025-2026 school year comes to a close and you head into summer break, there are a few ideas I would like you to reflect upon. For some, summer break means a vacation with your family. For others, it means a job. For others, it means summer school (yikes). For the rest, it may mean camps, programs, or a completely open space — sometimes referred to as boredom.

Whatever it means for you, I want to encourage you to consider the following five ideas as you navigate the summer streets. I would also love for you to reflect on them as you head into the new school year in August and September. I believe these to be universal, undeniable truths. If we take the time to harness and channel them, we will benefit from their enormous power and potential. Before we get to the list, I also want to say that this is what our elected leaders and the private sector should be fighting for every single day as we seek to live in a country rooted in our collective humanity.

First, be safe this summer. You have a right to feel safe wherever you go and with whatever you do. Safety is essential to your overall well-being, mental health, growth, and development, which should be addressed daily. You have a right to be safe without judgment from others or yourself, and you should never ever have to worry about being harmed by anyone. You have much more to focus on than drama and conflict. Stay away from all that and seek joy, calm, and tranquility every day.

Second, be inspired to listen, speak, write, read, build, imagine, create, and do something. Life is abundant. Life is infinite. There is so much to learn and do, especially with these phones in our hands. If it’s hard to find inspiration, take a walk, drink some water, exercise, or play a sport or a game. Physical movement sends a rush of endorphins and dopamine to your brain. These are the chemicals that act as natural pain relievers and mood lifters. They create a sense of bliss and spark inspiration. Seek inspiration, remain curious, daydream, and stay inspired.

Third, be grateful. Be grateful for waking up. For your family and friends. For having a roof over your head. For the abilities you have. Even if it is perceived that others have “more” than you, remember that life itself is a gift. Be inspired by others, but don’t be jealous or envious of them. Being grateful is a very important step toward unlocking your full potential. No need to hate on others. It is a waste of mind and energy. The hate you put out just comes straight back to you. Always remember that life is abundant. Wherever you are, there is abundance all around you. You just have to quiet the nonsense and noise, breathe, recalibrate in your grace, and glide in your purpose.

Fourth, always remember, you are capable of anything. Once you dedicate your mind and movement to something, you are sure to succeed. This is the essence of life. This is whether you choose good or bad, so please, choose good. You are the author, designer, producer, architect, and director of your own life. You have the choice. You choose the behaviors, the words, and the actions. It’s your intuition. It’s your voice. It’s one you can follow to become your best self, and teach, help, and guide others.

Finally, you deserve to be loved. Unconditionally. Just because you exist. Not lust or dependency or infatuation. Loved. If you don't feel it yet from the outside, make sure you acknowledge and nurture the love you have for yourself from within. That love for yourself and every aspect of yourself will create protective energy all around you. We also love others because they are like us, and we all exist here in this world — together.

Yes, there are toxic and harmful people that we can try to help, and should if it makes sense. But when their toxicity and harm are overbearing, we must step away. Everyone has their own journey, and help can only be given and received at the right place and time. Follow your intuition and the rhythm of life as a guide. Ultimately, we can only do so much, and we all have a responsibility to work on ourselves.

Speak life and love into others, and it will come back to you. Uplift others, and the same will happen to you. Never be a punching bag or a doormat. Move through life with love and intention. All we need is one person in our lives to give us unconditional love. With that, we have the power to change the world.

This is the beginning of my declaration for humanity. I wrote it to you, our young people, because you are both the most precious thing on this earth and far too often ignored. I am grateful that my life’s work has guided me toward fighting to unlock humanity’s full potential and leave no one behind. That begins with our young people.

So, young people, stay safe this summer and build the world you wanna see. Also, hold these elected officials, businesses, and corporations accountable. If you wanna learn how, send me a message. We all will become and build the future our ancestors dreamed of — together.