Advice from the Future

Wednesday, May 29 marked the 20th anniversary of my high school graduation.  I know that it seems cliche to say this, but it really does not like it is even possible.  I don't feel any older, in fact, I am probably healthier and definitely stronger than I was back then.  I was listening to The Ticket as I was getting ready for work and they were reading from an interview with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar published in a recent edition of  Esquire magazine.  The article is titled 20 Things I Wish I Had Known When I Was 30.  It is a terrific article, go read it now -- I'll still be here when you get back.  The timing was uncanny as I was already thinking of my high school graduation and it made me think...what advice would present day me give to high school graduate me?  I  had some thoughts, but I thought that it would be interesting to see what others would say to their future-self  and I posed the question to my friends via Twitter and Facebook.  The responses varied from the very serious to the hilarious.

• Find out what makes you happy even if it means failing. ~Marci
• Seriously, I would tell myself not to take myself so damn seriously.  Chill out and enjoy the ride. ~Mama C
• Bust your ass and quit your complaining. ~Gretchen
• Learn to say "no." Then say it loudly and often! ~Mary
• Take a small loan for college so you don't kill yourself working and taking 19 hours each semester. ~Carolyn
• No one is scrutinizing you as much as you think, so relax.  Plus follow my mom's advice and put on, as she would say, a little lip estick. ~Chriselda
• Take opportunities as they come, because you might not see them again. ~Emily
• Don't have tunnel vision - most people at 17 don't know WHAT they want to do - explore your options! ~That Pink Girl
• Don't work during your summers - you have the rest of your life to work and you will wish you had summers as a grown up. ~Melissa
• Slow down, don't be in such a rush. ~Byron
• DON'T CUT BANGS!!!! ~That Pink Girl
• Stay off the Internet. ~Brian (reminded me that we didn't have the Internet in high school...ouch.)
• Don't steal that cop car. ~Mr. K

Thank heavens for contacts & hair products

Hindsight seems to be 20/20 for many of us as far as our health goes:

• I'd tell high school me to take better care of my body and when people who love me express concern over something, there's a reason. ~Lesley
• Stay in shape and 20 years from now no one will believe you when you say you graduated 20 years ago. ~Brian
• Take care of your teeth and your back.  Run everything else into the ground and enjoy the ride. ~Josh
• Even though it's hard to conceive of it now, it's highly likely that you WILL live past 40.  You only get one brain/body...treat them well - they have to last a long time. ~Debby

Some practical dating advice:

• Don't date just one boy your freshman year. ~That Pink Girl
• Break up with him. Like, yesterday. ~Christina S.
• Embrace the slutty college years. ~Name hidden to protect the innocent
• Put yourself first! Leave him behind and go to school with a fresh start. ~Amanda
• Babies are cute but they can wait.  Enjoy being young first! ~Stephanie

Homecoming Senior Year -- Texas Style

Downright inspirational:

• Be the LOVE.  Say thank you, I'm sorry, I forgive you, I love you.  Be the change you want to see in the world.  Success is often disguised in overalls and looks like WORK. ~Yvonne
• Find your passions and follow your instincts.  Don't put so much stock in what others think you should do or be.  You know you best! ~Julie
• To be much more worried about making a difference in their life and the lives of others than how much money they make. ~Dustin

And a few of my favorites:

• You can't have it all. They will tell you that you can, and you will see people who seem like they do, and what you will find out the hard way, no matter what I tell you, is that IT'S A LIE. SOMETHING has to give. And that's okay. Just make sure that you're at peace with the part you have to let go and then embrace what you do get to have. ~Mama C
• You're gonna be just fine.  You're life is gonna be great. Smile, have fun, and try not to be so rebellious....you're not good at it. ~Erin
• Get your head out of your doo-pa, break up with that girl, don't get a credit card, and pick up a guitar. ~Andrew
• This is the last time the Cowboys will be good.  Switch teams now! ~Mike (also...ouch!)
• Give em hell! ~Heidi

Seems like yesterday....

All of this is great and probably just exactly what high school graduate me needed to hear.  I would tell myself to not take life so seriously and that I don't have to be perfect all the time. I would tell myself that it is okay to make mistakes, most of them can be fixed and the world will not stop turning.  I probably should have blown off that "permanent record" fear of mine and had a little more fun.  I realize now that, if you are lucky, you will have a few good friendships that are strong and last forever...instead of having many shallow friendships.  I would have told myself that it is okay to speak up for yourself and not to be so scared of reaching out to others.  I would have also told myself that the best gift you can give family and friends is your time.

I have been blessed beyond belief with opportunities, experiences, friendships, and love in these last 20 years.  I can only hope that the next 20 brings more of the same.