Hey there. I know you never imagined being half a century old, but it happened. And it happened rather quickly. Looking back, I offer this bit of advise to you, my younger self…
Why do you worry? You are a kid. Stop taking things so seriously. Stop being afraid of life.
Write in a daily journal. Record everything, record nothing. Random thoughts, crazy feelings, far away dreams, pie-in-the-sky goals, embarrassing failures, family traditions… You’ll thank me later when you decide to write a book.
Keep reading. The answer to life’s questions can always be found between the pages of a good book.
You have wit and insight. Trust yourself and don’t worry about what other people think or say or do. You are in charge of you.
Listen to yourself and hear what you have to say. It’s okay to put yourself first on occasion. Making your own needs and aspirations a priority will allow you to better care for others.
Challenge yourself. The road less traveled is scenic and quiet and provides more time to think.
Take more accounting classes. Debits and credits will be useful.
You.Are.Not.Fat. Not by a long shot. Why do you count calories?
That luscious, good-enough-to-slurp coconut oil may smell heavenly, but it is ruining your skin. You will never be tan like your best friends Becky and Norma, so stop wasting your time. The things that make you different and unique make you special.
Get to know your Daddy. He isn’t what he seems, and you won’t have him very long.
Learn to make Aunt Virgie’s pie crust. If you don’t, by age fifty your pie crusts will still be hit and miss…
You will meet many people throughout your life, but take a look at these childhood classmates, the smelly boys, the giggly girls. These friends you have now will be life-long friends. This is rare.
Someday you will regret that groovy spiral perm. But go ahead and get it. Looking back and laughing at yourself is a good thing. Looking back and laughing at that horrible perm will make age fifty more tolerable.
And one final thing…buy Wal-Mart stock. Trust me on this.
talya
p.s. I will check back with you in a few years to make sure you finished that book…
Musical Pairing:
written at Hemingway-Pfeiffer Educational Center, Piggott, Arkansas
 |
| Hemingway-Pfeiffer |
