You see it often when a celebrity is being interviewed: What would you tell your younger self? What would your adult-self tell your kid-self? I recently heard an interview where this question was asked and it got me thinking. This could be a really valuable question to ask ourselves and then share with the kiddos or young adults around us.
Here is a list of my own responses so far:
Become comfortable with fear; it can help you do amazing things.
You will go to bed mad sometimes; not all problems can be solved before you become tired.
Dress for yourself, not someone else.
Just be nice and always try do the right thing.
One day people will like you for exactly who you are. Right now, you might not have found those people.
There will always be someone cooler than you; so stop trying to be cool (or caring so much about what other people think).
Lastly, I’m reminded of some of the lyrics from a Ben Folds song:
“Do It Anyways”
You might put your love and trust on the line
It’s risky, people love to tear that down
Let ’em try
Do it anyway
Risk it anyway
And if you’re paralyzed by a voice in your
head
It’s the standing still that should be scaring you instead
Go on and
Do it anyway
Do it anyway
There will be times you might leap before you
look
There’ll be times you’ll like the cover and that’s precisely why you’ll love
the book
Do it anyway
Do it anyway
Tell me what I said I’d never do
Tell me what I said I’d never say
Read me off a list of the things I used to not like but now I think are ok…
Know the wisdom. Process the wisdom. Share the wisdom.