WCWC #8

Five things I have learned in life that I would want to pass on to the younger generations....


1) Do not drink and drive, ever. You might get away with it for years or you might get busted your first time, but getting busted is only one thing that could go wrong. Not only could you get into a lot of trouble, have to pay hefty fines, lose your license, (if you even have one) and maybe even sit jail time...which by the way is a whole another story entirely; you could also get hurt or hurt someone else. I drank and drove for years, not really thinking much of it. And, I never personally hurt anyone, but I very well could have. And I have lost people to drunk drivers. One time, I finally got busted, a year ago actually. It's not worth it, let me tell you. I had to attend a class called, Group Dynamics. And, in that class I learned a lot of things I never knew about drinking and driving. I also saw and heard stories of those lost to drunk drivers, those permanently handicapped because of their drinking and driving, and so much more. Let me say this again, it is never worth it. If you're going to drink, by all means...DON'T DRIVE! Plan ahead, have cab fare, take a bus, walk, have a SOBER designated driver, stay at the person's house, etc.....just DON'T DRIVE! Don't risk your own life and don't be selfish enough to risk someone else's.

2) If you ever get into trouble and have a fine or fines to pay, PAY THEM! I didn't and I sat in jail eventually for them. Jail is NOT a pretty place. The food is horrible, I lost weight due to the fact I couldn't stomach over half of what they serve you. The beds are rock hard and it's nearly impossible to get any sleep. You wear the same clothes for days in a row. In some cases, you shower in front of everyone, sleep in the same room as everyone else, go to the bathroom in front of everyone, etc. Privacy does NOT exist in jail. Some correction officers are very nice, but many of them are very rude. They will belittle you and not think twice. In fact, some seem to hope you'll get offended enough to start trouble so that they can find reasons to punish you. Drama is inescapable in jail, even if you're not involved, you can't just walk away and you can't just plug your ears. Women are starting rumors, starting fights, picking on people who keep to themselves, etc. It's definitely a learning place, for some anyway. But there are many who go in and out of jail like a runway model changes clothes. I firstly suggest to stay out of trouble, it's a lot easier that way. But, if you find yourself with ticket of any kind, just pay it.

3) I know this sounds corny, but listen to your parents. They really do know what they're talking about a lot of the time. They're not perfect, but they were once kids themselves. They have a lot of knowledge and advice to share that we should listen to. When your mom or dad says, I'm only doing this because I care and don't want to see you end up in a bad place, it's quite likely they've been in a bad place and just want better for you. No, you're face won't freeze like that and you won't get corn growing out of your ears if you eat the popcorn seeds, but there is a lot of what they tell you that is the truth. You may want to roll your eyes at them a lot of the time, I know I did, but don't ignore what they have to say. If you listen, it might change your life.

4) Watch out who you hang out with, for you often become who you're with. No matter how much you say I'll never smoke like she does or I won't steal like he does, it becomes harder and harder to abstain from behaviors when you're around them all the time. Don't be dragged into something you can't get out of. They might have a good heart in there somewhere or be really cute, but don't let yourself go down a path you can't come back from. If they're involved in shady activities or ones that could cause harm to themselves or someone else, that is a sign you need to find different friends. We're called by God to love everyone and to reach out a hand to help, but there is a difference between being there to help and condoning what they do, even if you don't do the things they do...if you say nothing and let them drag themselves down and maybe you with them, you're no better. And if you do believe something is wrong, speak up and/or get out. I have had the wrong friends and it landed me into a lot of trouble because I went along with a lot of what they did, ignored a lot of it, and made light of the rest. Please watch who you make friends with.

5) Be yourself, even if you're standing alone. This goes with number four. Don't do something just because everyone else is doing it. I know what peer pressure is like. I have succumb to it many times. And, in the end, you feel horrible. Don't do something because you feel like they won't be your friend and/or date you if you don't. Don't do something because you feel like you have to. Be who you are and unashamed of it. If someone doesn't like you for who you are, if you need to change to please someone....then they don't really care about you. If they care for you, they accept you flaws and all. If you make a change to your life, make it because you want to and not because someone expects you to. When you try to become something/someone you're not to fit in or to make someone happy, you end up miserable and everything you have with them is based on lies. It's not worth it, trust me, been there and done that. BE YOURSELF AND BE PROUD OF IT! :)

Sorry I have been a bit behind, this is what happens when you're without your computer during the week and busy on the weekends. :P This will all change soon, when I move in two weeks. :)