'm not old but I have been on this planet a day or two. In that time I have come to learn a few things about life in general. Remember this are my observations coming from my experience, so this is my biased version of some of my life lessons. Enjoy.
1- Coming from a household that had a lot of yelling growing up does effect the person you grow up to be. I get nervous and tense when my roommate yells in traffic and it has nothing to do with the moment...I'm remember time spent hiding in my secret location in the house while my dad was yelling at something, usually, my brother. I don't cry around the yelling but I feel like that childhood version of myself. For that reason, I try to not yell because I don't want to be like my dad.
2- The more variety of creative outlets that you utilize the better and more inspired you feel. I have found I feel my best when I'm creating something or listening to music that moves me. I've tried different types of means get the creative juices flowing, for me painting, writing, singing and making things for other people make me feel alive. I haven't painted in ages but looking at my paintings on the wall for what they are [my personal expressions of periods in my life] I don't need to be the greatest artist to express myself and I love my art.
3- Friends making hard times much more entertaining. I could be moping around be a grump but when you have great friends that love you grump and all it's hard to focus on the negative.
4- Life doesn't get easier or harder; you just get older and hopeful you've learned from your mistakes. This seems straightforward but it has taken me 23 years and counting to grasp. Don't dwell on past mistakes just learn your lesson and do not repeat it. So many people (myself included) make a mistake, apologize, agonize and then repeat the offense in the future; obviously the lesson didn't sink in the first time. This is easier said then done which brings me to…
5- Education in a variety of subjects makes you a more rounded individual. I've heard people complain about having to take university core courses of about having to have a minor, hell I've complained about Statistics, but have more knowledge about a broad range of information doesn't hurt anyone. I've come to love a class this semester I thought I would hate, Psychology of Women, I'm learning more in that class then I ever thought I would.
6- Don't let other people's opinions of you alter your own self-image. I've had days where I feel amazing, I feel pretty, awake, motivated and then I run in to someone who says the dreaded "Are you okay? You look tired." That phrase is rarely, it ever used maliciously but sometimes it feels like I've hit a wall and I want to take on this one persons opinion, disregarding my own feelings and personal opinions. Why? I know better about myself then anyone I know, therefore my opinion of myself is the one I opt to listen too. Other people offer good balance so you see it what they think of you matches your opinion but don't change to please people.
7- Find yourself, be that person and people that like that person will want to be around you. Finding self is a life long quest it seems but from what I know of myself is I form better, lasting relationships with people that have been honest to me about themselves and I've been honest to them.
8- Being open-minded doesn't mean open-minded with something and not another. I'm a very liberal atheist or more accurately non-theist and indifferent with more gay friends then any straight girl I know. If I only talked to people with my own views and ideals I would be talking to myself, basically. People are different and have different takes on things, I sometimes get defensive but I'm learning to shut-up and hear what other people have to say. I speak my mind too but generally I don't talk my two favorite topics [Religion and Politics] with people I don't know but I'm learning to listen to other people.
9- Do not get offended when someone doesn't follow your advice. Give well thought out advice to people you care about and then if they don't do what you would have done just remember it is their life experience and ultimately they have to figure out situations for themselves, even it their way is more painful and longer.
10- Take advice with an open-mind but a working mind. This one is my spin on the "take advice with a grain of salt." I love it when care enough about me and my life to know what is bothering me (I usually don't advertise my problems) so when they offer me advice I try to gratefully listen to their opinions but then I remember I and I only am the one who will face the consequences of any action or inaction, so in the end I make the final say.
