DEAR CHRISTINE: Paying for stupid choices

DEAR CHRISTINE, I HAVE BEEN LIVING in Miami for almost 16 years and, sad to say, I have not made anything of myself so far.

I have made a lot of stupid decisions that are now causing me much misery. The worst mistake I made was dropping out of college a few years ago. Since then I have faced living in the shelters not once, but twice.

The first time I lived in the system for two years. Because of my lack of education I was only able to obtain a low-wage job that enabled me to rent a room. But then things got slow on the job and I became unemployed, thus causing me to lose my room and so I am back in the shelter system after being out for one year.

Christine, this is very heartbreaking for me to deal with. Everywhere I turn to find a better job, I have no luck and my family refuses to help me because of the stupid choices that I’ve made.

I have returned to school but it’s challenging for me to live in the shelter and do that at the same time.

I don’t know what else to do. I just wish I could turn back the hands of time to correct every mistake that is causing me so much pain.

– FRUSTRATED

Dear Frustrated,

Please, please, don’t let the past destroy the future. Though you might not believe me, I do feel that you are on the way up by recognising the cause of the failure of the past and are now pursuing the wherewithal towards a better future.

Please don’t give up. Mistakes can be corrected once you recognise them and this you have done.

I pray you will persevere and so enjoy the life you long for.

– CHRISTINE