18 Years of Lessons
In honor of my 18th birthday, I wanted to share some of the most important lessons I’ve learned. I believe that your childhood (aka first 18 years of life) is the foundation of life. What you learn during that time affects how you act and what you do in the future. Granted you aren’t done learning yet, but in order to grow and learn more you must have these 18 years of lessons as a foundation. So here they are.
1. “Be who you are…”
Being yourself is an almost cliché thing to say, yet one of the most important. Individuality makes you who you are. That’s why it is called “individuality.” Like Michael Evans, my dear friend from high school, said during her valedictorian speech, “I regret every time I tried to fit in,” I, too, regret those times. I’ve come to realize, again, like Michael said, the importance of my “jeans and t-shirt and fully embracing my inner dork” (yes, when she said that I realized why I loved her so much). While trying to fit in I found myself becoming uncomfortable. Then, when I was me I had fun. And guess what? People loved ME better than Not-me! I also learned that in being myself my morals and beliefs are more important than any other part of Me. They create Me.
2. “…and say what you feel…”
I’ve also realized the importance of my words. Feelings and emotions aren’t my thing. I like to bottle them up, keep the tears in, and prove my acting skills. Then I realized that when I’m upset, say so. When I’m mad, say so (within moderation). When I’m happy, smile and say so. When someone is acting out of control, tell them. When someone is saying something wrong, correct them. When you have something to say, SAY IT. Sometimes your words can change lives and help people without you even trying.
3. “…because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” –Dr. Seuss
If people care that you are being yourself and saying what you feel, who cares because those people don’t matter in the scheme of things. Those who don’t care what you say or that you are acting as yourself and accept and love you, they matter. Those who matter are you real friends and your family. These people are the ones who make the real difference in your life. I’ve come to realize that there is no need to please people. If I offend people, oh well. If I please people while speaking my mind and being myself and sticking to my morals, so be it.
4. Love is the most important thing.
What we as humans crave the most is love. Nothing makes me happier than when my family and friends say I love you. I think about my mom and I in the changing room. I must say I feel bad for the people in the adjacent stall because we laugh so hard because we LOVE each other. I think about my dad and I cruising in his truck singing “From this Moment and A Whole New World” together because we LOVE each other. I think about Kelsey and I tearing down the wall in New Orleans as fast as we could just to see each other on the other side because we LOVE each other. I think about Marissa and I going to the movies all the time together because we LOVE each other. I also think about India. Being in KGF and walking through some of the poorest villages in the world. The children chased our bus. They weren’t jealous of us because they LOVED us (love is NOT jealous). Love creates peace. And peace can change the world. Therefore to have a perfect world there must be love.
5. Dreams DO come true.
The biggest lesson I have learned is that dreams come true. I’m a big dreamer. Let’s see. I wanted to play in the NFL. Then I wanted to be a dentist. Then I wanted to be a science professor at some college and I wanted my Doctorate. I’ve wanted to be a singer and wanted to preach. I’ve always wanted to be a talented musician and travel the world. And since sixth grade, I’ve wanted to be an architect. Well let’s see. Of those career choices, I’ve played powder puff. I’ve preached several times and taught a youth group. I was first chair this year in band. I’ve traveled to India. And well I’m going to college for Architecture. So “shoot for the moon…” and I’ve learned that even though I’ve missed some of these goals, I haven’t miss completely because I’ve “landed amidst the stars.” Also, one of my BIGGEST dreams came true. In middle school I traded the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC for this little band called Infant. I wanted to meet them SO badly. I would have dreams about meeting them, but right when they would turn around I would wake up. I thought those dreams were my reality. As I grew up, they did too. As I develop, they did too (into Bright Light Parade). Then the opportunity arose. And can you guess who pulled up into my driveway in a van with a trailer on the back? You bet! Talk about a dream come true, not only once, but twice (so far).
