Incase anyone has forgotten I recently turned 21
back in February. I know, I know, that's a huge age. The only thing
I really can't do these days is rent a car for a decent price.. but that's the
least of my worries. Working at a pool I tend to work with a lot of
younger kids (highschoolers), who come to me with their problems and initially
I try to guide and advise them the best to my ability. I feel the reason
that they come to me though is because I have been there. I know exactly
what they are going through because I was in their shoes not too long ago.
Now these kids are growing up and starting to go to college which - I've
done too. Now granted I am not done growing and I still won't admit that
technically I am an adult, I know that there are some solid rules when it comes
to growing up. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm right. I don't know the
solution to every problem, but I do know that there are some golden rules in
life that if you stick by them it will cut out a good portion of your stress
through these awkward, tough, demanding, yet completely rewarding times.
1) Your mom is always right... Always.
The amount of times my mother could turn to me and
say, "I told you so," is ungodly. But she doesn't do that
because she is my mother and she'll just give me that “look” instead.
Huff and puff all you want but mamas really do know what they're talking
about. Especially if you're a girl- a mom's guidance is key.
Granted times are different now, we use different slang words, have
different pick up lines- but boys are still boys, teachers are still teachers,
and teenagers are still teenagers. A mother's help and reassurance could
make all those issue go away. My mom instilled in me a whole lot of
confidence- as I hope your mother did to you too, and a mother will never tell
you "I told you so," because she wants you to learn from your
mistakes and she wants you to grow as a person. It never hurts to listen
to her the first time though. My mom is my best friend and I wouldn't
trade her for anything.
2) Don't ever talk about someone's religion,
political views, or their family.
My mom has always told me this and this is something
I held on to dearly. Especially since I was felt that I was really too
young and uneducated to have an opinion on those subjects anyways. I know
that one of my biggest pet peeves is when someone talks poorly about my family-
so I refuse to do so about someone else's.
Also, when it comes to religion and politics I would rather not discuss
it at all because chances are that I don't agree with whoever I am discussing
it with. I am all up for an educational debate, but when people let their
emotions get and their personal views get in the way of the conversation at
hand it turns into more than a debate.
Therefore, I just stay clear of these topics because chances are that
that conversation will turn into a fight and that will not end well.
3) Don't stress what you can't change.
This is something that I still struggle with on a
daily basis, but it's crazy to worry about something that you have no control
over. I am very much a control freak when it comes to my life and the
repercussions of the choices that I make. However, when there is a
something that I have no control over it is still hard for me to let go.
I believe that everything happens for a reason, so if something happens,
good or bad, that is how it is supposed to happen in life. I will try my
best to always make sure that my actions have a positive outcome, but if they
don't I need to graciously take the lesson learned. I strongly encourage
you to also let the chips fall where they may. Do the best to your
ability in every situation, but when something is out of your reach put your
faith into that things will turn out for the best eventually.
4) Don't let other people opinions get to you.
This sort of ties in with Rule #3. You really
shouldn't let what people think affect your life. If you have people who
care for you and want to give you advice that is one thing- but to just judge
and criticize you is another. Make sure you surround yourself with
positive influences and keep all of the negativity out of your life. You
are who you are for a reason, don't let someone try to tell you otherwise.
5) Do wrong to no one.
This is a golden rule. Try to be as nice,
kind, and caring to everyone that crosses your path. You never know who
may be going through a tough time and just needs a friend or who may be rich
and famous one day. Sounds crazy, but it's true. It's also just
good karma. If you put good and positive vibes into the world then that
is what you will get back.
I hope this post was nothing but helpful and if you're not going to
listen to me then please . . . follow rules #1 and listen to your mother.
