Thank You, Lead Singer.

Last year, I had the privilege of attending a Temper Trap concert at the Roxy in West Hollywood. I hadn't been a fan of them and was actually planning on attending an Arctic Monkeys concert. I however did not manage to get tickets for the Monkeys before the actual date, so decided to go watch Temper Trap. 

Do I regret my decision? No. 

I had never given this magnificent band my time of day. I had heard there more popular songs, but nothing off any of their albums. I was pleasantly surprised at how talented this band is. They have great rhythm in the music and with each other. They focus on the music and make the audience truly listen and enjoy their music. They are beautiful people. 

After a good two hours of performing, the lead singer concluded with saying "Mistakes keep people honest." I don't know why but it really stuck with me. I thought it was a great quote. The quote is very true. Maybe I thought too much of it, but I thought there was no lie in it. A mistake that is accepted does keep people honest. He said the quote after restarting the performance of one of their songs, which I think really made me like them even more. They did not care that they are a well known band. They simply cared about giving the best performance they could give. 

I used to be afraid of saying I am wrong, but now it hasn't been that difficult. I make mistakes and I am okay with it. If I want to show people who I am, I need to show them this clumsy-mistake making-messy girl. It will keep me honest and real. 

Thank you, Dougy Mandagi.

Love, 

Jax

Oh, Jackie.

Dear 10 year old me,

How do I begin? I wish I could tell you that life gets easier and that you will accomplish everything you put your mind to--but I would be lying. Life only gets more complicated. You will be faced with many decisions that, at the time, will make you contemplate whether anything is worth it. However, don't doubt your self that much. Follow your gut but never ignore your intuition. Things do get a bit easier. I know that at this age you are feeling lonely, but you are not. You do have friends and you're not the black sheep in the family. Open your eyes and see all the people that care for you. Open your heart to the love that is being given to you. Don't push people away because the only person you are hurting is yourself.
In a few years, you will start becoming insecure. You will start comparing yourself to other people, which you shouldn't. Your body will change and so will you. You will understand the true meaning of friendship. You will also start to notice that not everyone you look up to is amazing. You will start to notice how horrible people can be and that will make you feel like you can't trust anyone. But, be trusting of people. I know that you became terrified after seeing the police be brutal to a poor old woman trying to make a living from selling fruit on the streets, but don't let that stop you from exploring your city. Be safe, however. Always be aware of your surroundings. Listen to your family. Even though they can be annoying, at times, and extremely over protective, they are trying their very best to give you everything they can.
You will live some amazing moments in middle school and make sure to truly enjoy them. Take more pictures. Read more books. Make yourself well educated. You aren't the brightest bulb. There is so much to learn in the world. Whatever you think you know is not even a percentage of what there is to learn. You don't know everything, so don't get offended if someone wants to correct you. Be accepting of others. Take deep breaths and always think everything through.
Also, follow your passions. I know you love music, but I also know you are afraid you won't ever understand music. Learning how to write music is not easy and neither is learning how to play an instrument. Have patience with yourself. Although, it may take you longer to learn something compared to other students, you will get it in the end. Don't quit something just because you are afraid.
Throughout the years, a thing I have learned is that curiosity is sometimes the little push that we need. Take care of yourself, Jack. And, enjoy your childhood.

 Things have a way of falling into place, as cliche as it may sound.

Love, 

Jackie