Page 27: Tony lectures Wes about taking school seriously and staying off the streets. Talk about the relationship between those two. What advice do you give your siblings based on your mistakes in life?

Lessons from My Journey

Tony’s advice to Wes in The Other Wes Moore is a poignant example of how older siblings try to guide their younger ones away from mistakes they’ve made. As an older sibling or someone with younger family members, I often feel a responsibility to offer guidance based on my own experiences. Looking back, there have been moments in my life when I made mistakes that could have been avoided. These lessons have shaped the advice I give to my siblings today.

One mistake that stands out was during my early teenage years in Costa Rica. I had a habit of procrastinating on my schoolwork, especially on subjects I found uninteresting. I would often tell myself, “There’s always tomorrow,” but this attitude led to a pileup of assignments and a lot of unnecessary stress. There was one instance when I delayed a major project until the last minute, resulting in a hurried and poorly executed submission. Not only did my grades suffer, but I also missed an opportunity to learn and grow from the assignment.

Another mistake I’ve learned from was trusting the wrong people. Growing up, I occasionally prioritized friendships over responsibilities, sometimes with people who didn’t share my values. This taught me a tough but valuable lesson: the people you surround yourself with greatly influence your path.

Now, I often find myself sharing these lessons with my younger siblings. My advice about procrastination is simple: “Time is your most valuable resource. Don’t waste it.”  To help, I’ve even sat with them to organize their homework or create study plans, knowing firsthand how much easier life can be with a little preparation.

When it comes to friendships, I remind them: “Choose people who lift you up, not bring you down.” I tell them about the times I got sidetracked by following others and how I regretted it later. I emphasize the importance of setting boundaries and focusing on their goals rather than trying to fit in with the wrong crowd.

Like Tony, I’ve learned that sometimes younger siblings don’t listen right away, and that’s okay. Guidance isn’t about forcing them to follow a path but about sharing lessons so they can make informed decisions. My mistakes, whether in school or friendships, have shaped the person I am today and the advice I give.

Family relationships, like those between Tony and Wes, are about learning from each other and growing together. The advice I give my siblings comes from a place of love and hope that they can avoid the same pitfalls I encountered. At the end of the day, all we can do is guide, support, and trust that they’ll make the right choices.