Dear Max,

I’ve embarrassed myself more times than I would like to admit – just ask your mother. Sometimes I don’t know the right answer and assume it. I’ve fallen for stupid jokes. I’ve let people get the best of me. For as much as I’ve embarrassed myself or I thought someone embarrassed me, in five years none of it will matter.

Its easy to get hard on yourself. As for me, I hold myself to pretty high standards, meaning I am very critical on myself. I remember little things or mistakes from long ago that nobody else remembers but me. There were some situations I perceived in the moment as so bad I wanted to crawl in a hole and just die.

As much as I hate to say it, perfection is unattainable. You can work towards it, but its always out of your reach. And, that’s okay. Mistakes happen. You’ll get embarrassed. Friends, family and co-workers will embarrass you. Instead of dwelling on it, learn from it and move forward. Then, ask yourself: Will it really matter in five years anyway?

Love,

Daddy

PS: The answer is usually “no.”