Part Two, Wear Sunscreen:
To the Class of 2014:
You are about to get a whole bunch of advice, from everyone. Every single person that you know and don't know are going to shove information down your throat in an attempt to help you become an adult. The thing is everyone is trying to help you out, or save you from mistakes that they have made. What they may not tell you is that you need to make mistakes, bad ones. Not everything is going to be right for you, but make mistakes, and be good to your fellow human being.
Here are a few tidbits for you to chew on:
Remember that just because you turn 18 and are going away to college or starting your job does not make you an adult. Nothing magic happens to make you one, you just wake up one day and realize that you are. It has nothing to do with age, but the journey you've been on and the path that you have chosen to walk. Flex those wings because you are going to want to see what your new boundaries are, but be careful and kind when you are doing this. Remember, many of us have been on this path of self discovery before, and trust me, you don't want to burn bridges.
Don't keep your mouth shut. Speak up and be heard.
Read everything that you can get your hands on. Read banned books, pamphlets, webpages, magazines, billboards, anything. Read things that are controversial, and risky, and scary. Read the newspaper, comics, ads, and everything else you can find.
Unplug from the world. Do not depend on technology as something that is a sub for human interaction. Listen to the world around you, not the sounds of AI. Go into nature, it's going to be gone someday and nothing can replace it. Don't live life online.
Get into fights and arguments. If you don't, you will never learn anything about the other person or yourself. Just be civil about it.
Meet new people.
Know thyself: There are a few core things that are special to every person. It's different for everyone but once you find those cores and answer those questions, be willing to discuss them. Learn everything that you can about them, and be willing to be challenged on them. If you find that those core answers change with time, educate yourself again. You won't always feel the same way as you did when you were 18.
Don't make it your main goal in life to get married and have children. It's best to be able to stand on your own two feet, and have life skills before you get serious in a relationship. If you can't stand on your own, then you will fall.
Learn how to balance your checkbook. Don't depend on the bank, or online banking to do it for you. Know how to make change, and always carry a little cash just in case of emergency.
Take lots of pictures.
Eat different kinds of foods.
Be honest.
Take care of yourself by drinking lots of water, getting restful sleep, and listen to your body. No one knows your body better than yourself. Don't get stuck with a doctor that won't listen or you feel that doesn't hear you. You only have one body, take care of it. And if they won't help find somebody that will.
Volunteer: you will meet new friends and it's always better to help out when you can. Plus, it's great to put on resumes. ;)
Learn how to write a resume, cover letter, and how to fill out an application.
Remember, you will not always start off at a job on top. You will have to work for it. Don't quite because you don't feel things are moving fast enough. You must start on the ground floor before you get to walk up any stairs.
Watch the sunset, and the sun rise. Watch the first stars come out at night and howl at a full moon. Find a rainbow, wish on a star.
Get drunk. (Disclaimer: Yes, get drunk, but don't put yourself in a situation where you or anyone else will be driving. Go somewhere and stay there Don't drink with somebody that you don't trust with your life.) Everybody needs to get drunk at least once in their life to know what it's like. Some will never drink again, some will become casual drinkers, and others will waste away into something pathetic. It's a right of passage, but don't you dare put anyone else in danger.
Don't smoke.
Wear clothing and shoes your size. Trust me, society will thank you for that.
Play music, sing, hum. Go to concerts and musical theater. Educate yourself on the arts.
Find fun, free things to do in your city. Take a day, or a few days to be a tourist in your town. Learn about the history your city. You may be surprised at what you find out.
Travel!!! Not just the world, but the entire Untied States. Get lost, or go find the world's biggest ball of twine! Never stop learning about the world around you. Spend your money on traveling. It's a great investment.
Learn how to change a tire, and a diaper. Important life skills.
Take public transportation, walk, ride your bike when you can. Be kind to Mother Earth, she's all that we have.
And last but not least:
Be humble, never forget who you are or where you came from. You are no better or any worse than another person. You are you, and nobody else can do that for you. Be strong, love, be willing to have you heart broken. Be kind, and remember that tomorrow is not a promise. Don't burn the bridges, dwell too long on hurt and pain, get help when you need it. Never be afraid to ask for that help. Take a deep breath when you are stressed. Work hard, and play responsibly. Take care of yourself, and your loved ones. Have fun, and laugh a lot.
Good luck all, and remember we are all cheering for you!!
Lisa and her Underdog
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Wear Sunscreen
Dear Class of 2014,
This was written and performed by Baz Buhrmann for my class year. This is as true today as it was those few short years ago. Trust us on the sunscreen!
"Everybody is Free to Wear Sunscreen"
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering
experience…I will dispense this advice now. Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not
understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and
recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
imagine. Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing
bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that
never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm
on some idle Tuesday. Do one thing everyday that scares you Sing Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with
people who are reckless with yours. Floss Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes
you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with
yourself. Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you
succeed in doing this, tell me how. Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. Stretch Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your
life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they
wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still don’t. Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone. Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe
you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky
chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t
congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your
choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body,
use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever
own.. Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them. Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly. Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for
good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the
people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you
should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and
lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you
knew when you were young. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live
in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel. Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will
philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize
that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were
noble and children respected their elders. Respect your elders. Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one
might run out. Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will
look 85. Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than
it’s worth. But trust me on the sunscreen…
This was written and performed by Baz Buhrmann for my class year. This is as true today as it was those few short years ago. Trust us on the sunscreen!
"Everybody is Free to Wear Sunscreen"
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering
experience…I will dispense this advice now. Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not
understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and
recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
imagine. Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing
bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that
never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm
on some idle Tuesday. Do one thing everyday that scares you Sing Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with
people who are reckless with yours. Floss Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes
you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with
yourself. Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you
succeed in doing this, tell me how. Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. Stretch Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your
life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they
wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still don’t. Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone. Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe
you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky
chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t
congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your
choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body,
use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever
own.. Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them. Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly. Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for
good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the
people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you
should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and
lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you
knew when you were young. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live
in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel. Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will
philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize
that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were
noble and children respected their elders. Respect your elders. Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one
might run out. Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will
look 85. Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than
it’s worth. But trust me on the sunscreen…
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Nerd: Not just another four letter word
Updated from an earlier post:
Hello All,
I am a NERD. There, I said it. For most of you, this isn't a shocker, but for me this is something that I have just come to grips with and have become very proud of. Nerds are something that people are taught to think of in a bad fashion. They are portrayed as people living in their parent's basements, with broken glasses, a collection of comic books, and living with an unhealthy obsession instead of trying out the real world. They have jobs in IT, and have a high opinion of themselves, and a low opinion of others who make fun of their world or aren't as smart as they are. They are often painfully shy and can't function outside of a very small circle of friends and trusted family members. They often live a very lonely life and will be the butt of many jokes.
Nerds come in different forms if that means they love sports, animals, plants, running, surfing, making cakes, knitting, whatever you can come up with. Anything that makes you happy and you are so very passionate about that all the details matter makes you a nerd. I'm sure there are at least one or two things that came to your mind with that description, thank you very much John Green. Nerds look like anyone else, and you don't have to be enthralled with a book, movie, comic, TV show, or technology to be classified as a nerd. It is a double standard though. It is completely fine and acceptable to be a sports fan. There is no problem dressing up and going to a sports bar or to the game, getting tattoos of your favorite team, wearing their logo on your shirts and drinking your cup of coffee with it plastered on the front. It is encouraged to love your team. This my friend, is a nerd, and there is nothing wrong with that.
After you discover that you too are a nerd and it's not such a bad thing, it is important to be kind. I think every person has been enchanted with the object of their nerdom. They love it and know the details forwards and backwards. You want to share your love with the world because love is a positive, happy thing and we need more of that put out into the universe. But indivertibly, you find the cruelness, the people who will burst your bubble of happiness because you don't love the same thing the way they do, or you missed something, or you didn't see it or hear it the way that they took it. Suddenly, you find yourself a butt of a joke, again, and that stereotype comes creeping back into your mind. Sometimes, it's easy to slip into the role of the person correcting the others. The thing as, as a nerd we have been the underdogs. (Hey, get it, like my blog) We have been the quiet ones, the shy ones, the ones that sometimes can't make our own voice work so when we finally have a chance sometimes it comes out as cruelness. My rule of thumb when I catch myself being this mean type of nerd is to stop myself and apologize quickly. I've been the butt of jokes many times, and the person that everyone in the room ignores. To be able to speak up about something that you love takes a lot of courage and if you don't spend some much time judging you may actually learn something. You may even find a friend.
A true nerd is not only passionate about whatever makes them tick, that passion spills over into other areas of life. You will find that these people are truly some of the kindest people that you have ever met. You will find that they do for others and not always in a very obvious manner. You nerd it forward so to speak. For example, I love Doctor Who, very much. My cousin was diagnosed with cancer late last year and I became her care giver. It's been a tough road, but even being sick, she took me to the Doctor Who store here in Indy (Who North America) because she was thanking me for being her care giver.
However, she got too sick to stay and we had to leave. Fast forward several weeks later and our Masonic Family Members (this is nerdy too) got together to have a dinner and silent auction for my cousin to help pay for medial bills. Just because I love Doctor Who so much, I emailed the store and asked if they had any items to donate. These beautiful people never meeting me, and only going by my letter and how much I loved Doctor Who donated $500.00 worth of product to her auction. I was hoping for a poster. I am now helping them out with Indy PopCon because of them helping us out. All of this happened because of a love for Doctor Who, and people who's passion spilled over into other things. One day, I was having a terrible day at work and I took my break at Starbucks. I sat outside and was reading about Firefly. The nice elderly lady next to me saw the picture of Mal over my shoulder, we struck up a conversation, and my day instantly got better.
We, nerds being the underdogs, have made a community and in some cases have created a family steaming from what we are nerdy over. It's the Joss Whedon effect, we have big hearts. We have been left out, so once we find something that we love, we hold onto it with everything that we have. But we also want others to be able to enjoy that happiness and love so we do our best to nerd it forward. We dress up in our favorite comic book characters to go to blood drives, we get our fan groups together to do Relay for Life, or to knit Jane hats for cancer patients. We draw, sing, make art, play our musical instruments all inspired by what we love. That's just a small part. Sometimes it's the best thing in the world to see a nurse wearing a smock with Hello Kitty on it, and you happen to be huge Hello Kitty fan and that instantly calms you down. Being a nerd has taught me a very humble lesson, and I am going to do my best to make someone else smile, to make someone happy, to help someone out because a real nerd shares the love and happiness, not condones it. The most important thing I've learned is that being a nerd is truly not a four letter word. I am no longer ashamed or embarrassed to be a nerd, I embrace it!!!
Hello All,
I am a NERD. There, I said it. For most of you, this isn't a shocker, but for me this is something that I have just come to grips with and have become very proud of. Nerds are something that people are taught to think of in a bad fashion. They are portrayed as people living in their parent's basements, with broken glasses, a collection of comic books, and living with an unhealthy obsession instead of trying out the real world. They have jobs in IT, and have a high opinion of themselves, and a low opinion of others who make fun of their world or aren't as smart as they are. They are often painfully shy and can't function outside of a very small circle of friends and trusted family members. They often live a very lonely life and will be the butt of many jokes.
Nerds come in different forms if that means they love sports, animals, plants, running, surfing, making cakes, knitting, whatever you can come up with. Anything that makes you happy and you are so very passionate about that all the details matter makes you a nerd. I'm sure there are at least one or two things that came to your mind with that description, thank you very much John Green. Nerds look like anyone else, and you don't have to be enthralled with a book, movie, comic, TV show, or technology to be classified as a nerd. It is a double standard though. It is completely fine and acceptable to be a sports fan. There is no problem dressing up and going to a sports bar or to the game, getting tattoos of your favorite team, wearing their logo on your shirts and drinking your cup of coffee with it plastered on the front. It is encouraged to love your team. This my friend, is a nerd, and there is nothing wrong with that.
After you discover that you too are a nerd and it's not such a bad thing, it is important to be kind. I think every person has been enchanted with the object of their nerdom. They love it and know the details forwards and backwards. You want to share your love with the world because love is a positive, happy thing and we need more of that put out into the universe. But indivertibly, you find the cruelness, the people who will burst your bubble of happiness because you don't love the same thing the way they do, or you missed something, or you didn't see it or hear it the way that they took it. Suddenly, you find yourself a butt of a joke, again, and that stereotype comes creeping back into your mind. Sometimes, it's easy to slip into the role of the person correcting the others. The thing as, as a nerd we have been the underdogs. (Hey, get it, like my blog) We have been the quiet ones, the shy ones, the ones that sometimes can't make our own voice work so when we finally have a chance sometimes it comes out as cruelness. My rule of thumb when I catch myself being this mean type of nerd is to stop myself and apologize quickly. I've been the butt of jokes many times, and the person that everyone in the room ignores. To be able to speak up about something that you love takes a lot of courage and if you don't spend some much time judging you may actually learn something. You may even find a friend.
A true nerd is not only passionate about whatever makes them tick, that passion spills over into other areas of life. You will find that these people are truly some of the kindest people that you have ever met. You will find that they do for others and not always in a very obvious manner. You nerd it forward so to speak. For example, I love Doctor Who, very much. My cousin was diagnosed with cancer late last year and I became her care giver. It's been a tough road, but even being sick, she took me to the Doctor Who store here in Indy (Who North America) because she was thanking me for being her care giver.
However, she got too sick to stay and we had to leave. Fast forward several weeks later and our Masonic Family Members (this is nerdy too) got together to have a dinner and silent auction for my cousin to help pay for medial bills. Just because I love Doctor Who so much, I emailed the store and asked if they had any items to donate. These beautiful people never meeting me, and only going by my letter and how much I loved Doctor Who donated $500.00 worth of product to her auction. I was hoping for a poster. I am now helping them out with Indy PopCon because of them helping us out. All of this happened because of a love for Doctor Who, and people who's passion spilled over into other things. One day, I was having a terrible day at work and I took my break at Starbucks. I sat outside and was reading about Firefly. The nice elderly lady next to me saw the picture of Mal over my shoulder, we struck up a conversation, and my day instantly got better.
We, nerds being the underdogs, have made a community and in some cases have created a family steaming from what we are nerdy over. It's the Joss Whedon effect, we have big hearts. We have been left out, so once we find something that we love, we hold onto it with everything that we have. But we also want others to be able to enjoy that happiness and love so we do our best to nerd it forward. We dress up in our favorite comic book characters to go to blood drives, we get our fan groups together to do Relay for Life, or to knit Jane hats for cancer patients. We draw, sing, make art, play our musical instruments all inspired by what we love. That's just a small part. Sometimes it's the best thing in the world to see a nurse wearing a smock with Hello Kitty on it, and you happen to be huge Hello Kitty fan and that instantly calms you down. Being a nerd has taught me a very humble lesson, and I am going to do my best to make someone else smile, to make someone happy, to help someone out because a real nerd shares the love and happiness, not condones it. The most important thing I've learned is that being a nerd is truly not a four letter word. I am no longer ashamed or embarrassed to be a nerd, I embrace it!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)