F. Scott Fitzgerald to His 11-Year-Old Daughter in Camp (ggl cache bcs I dislike logging in to nytimes)

via ahpollock dlcs network - jessamyn, w note: I have been looking for this since I saw it in the book of lists tagged: fscottfitzgerald advice worry

F. Scott Fitzgerald to His 11-Year-Old Daughter in Camp
By THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE

AUGUST 8, 1933
LA PAIX RODGERS' FORGE
TOWSON, MATYLAND

DEAR PIE:

... I dislike the opening sentences. so. but this list that follows is a nice format for a letter for a child. as if you really know something and want to tell them. which I hope you do, I'm glad if you do. if you feel you know what is worth worrying about.


Things to worry about:
Worry about courage
Worry about cleanliness
Worry about efficiency
Worry about horsemanship...

Things not to worry about:
Don't worry about popular opinion
Don't worry about dolls
Don't worry about the past
Don't worry about the future
Don't worry about growing up
Don't worry about anybody getting ahead of you
Don't worry about triumph
Don't worry about failure unless it comes through your own fault
Don't worry about mosquitoes
Don't worry about flies
Don't worry about insects in general I dunno.
Don't worry about parents cool.
Don't worry about boys ok good.
Don't worry about disappointments
Don't worry about pleasures
Don't worry about satisfactions

Things to think about:
What am I really aiming at? ok good.
How good am I really in comparison hmm to my contemporaries in regard to:
(a) Scholarship
(b) Do I really understand about people and am I able to get along with them?
(c) Am I trying to make my body a useful intrument or am I neglecting it?

With dearest love,