Blogomattic A Fine Line Between a Story and Reality

20 Things I’d Tell Myself

Recently I joined the 20 Somethings blogging community and have skipped around some of member's blogs. I came across one post where someone talked about what they would tell their younger selves. This isn’t a bad idea. I think I will do the same. Assuming I went back to when I was about 8 and life was playing by the rules I’d tell myself:

• In 15 years, you will not trust anyone. If you start now, you’ll always be let down. Be weary of everyone and everything. Even the people you consider family.
• Nearly everyone that means anything to you will walk away from you. You need to learn, now, that it isn’t always your fault. Some people just can’t handle a challenge.
• In 10 years someone will try to talk you out of something you will be too belligerent to listen to. You must listen, and you must take the action that they recommend. They are right and things will end badly if you “follow your heart.”
• In 8 years you will not know who you are, what you want out of life, and where you are headed. A little while later you’ll think you have it figured out and then be in the same position 7 years later.
• The action you decide to take that night in March of 2002, you must complete. It is the first time you will have the courage to do it and it will save you so much trouble.
• Avoid the squirt gun fight in the summer of 2003 (if you made it that far). It will alter your life in two major ways, one of which you will never fully heal from.
• Sing. Sing early, sing often, sing when a girl wants to hear it, and sing without fear. It is a talent you might wait too long to try to cultivate.
• You are a follower now, and will one day be a leader. Use it wisely. A few people will hang on your every word. If you don’t speak wisely, you will lose the only one who will ever understand what you mean.
• No, not everyone is capable of what you can do, but only one person will be able to understand how your mind works. Everyone else will think you are lying. Your ability is a wonderful thing that will influence your imagination, but be a curse to your senses.
• Your imagination is, by far, the best asset you have. Use it!
• Don’t let your circumstances or job change you. Be strong.
• You’ve probably had the dream where you meet the little girl. Remember her face, you’ll meet her in 8 years.
• Never stop believing in God. It is lonely when you realize that there isn’t one.
• You like what you like. Don’t deny yourself access to those things you enjoy
• Treasure every moment.
• Don’t waste 7 years on perpetual motion. It’s impossible.
• Don’t let your heart run wild. It will get you in trouble and tear you apart more times than you ever wanted. This applies to women, frivolous dreams, and your faith.
• Do more listening than talking.
• Try new things, but don’t do it for someone else.
• Don’t mess around when it comes to deciding whether or not you want a family. If you made it to the point where it’s too later, you’ll be in pain every day when you wake up and realize that you are not going to get the family you wanted.