November Nuggets of Wisdom #18

Is fat really the worst thing a human being can be? Is fat worse than vindictive, jealous, shallow, vain, boring, evil, or cruel? Not to me."
- J. K. Rowling

The size of your body says nothing about who you really are, or what your behaviors are, or whether you are worthy of love and affection. If anyone says otherwise, there are two possible reasons: One, they are a bully. Two, they are trying to sell you something. Sometimes, it's both simultaneously.

Don't assume that people dislike you. You are not a mind reader.

Don't try to predict what other people will do or say. You are not a fortune teller. 

November Nuggets of Wisdom #17

Don't worry about whether or not your passions, hobbies, and interests are "cool" or not. If you're an adult or teenager who likes kids' shows and movies, don't be ashamed. If you're a Trekkie or a Star Wars fan or a Lord of the Rings nut, embrace that. The more you embrace your own interests, the happier you are. If anyone makes fun of you, it's just because they are jealous that they aren't as happy as you.

If you can, try to learn a musical instrument. It will expand your mind.

As much as school sucks sometimes, you will need it later in life. Yes, even chemistry. Chemistry especially. Chemistry will teach you why you should NEVER mix bleach and lime-away (or CLR, or vinegar). That's a real-life application that can actually save your life. Don't believe me? Ask your science teacher.

And yes, you need math too. Especially unit conversion. Especially when you live in the United States where we don't use metric. Algebra and trigonometry, too, depending on what career path you choose. Also, don't underestimate arithmetic. Someday you will be working a cash register and somebody will give you an odd change amount and you'll accidentally skip the screen that tells you how much change you need to give them.

On a related note, learn how to count back change.

November Nuggets of Wisdom #16

DON'T TRY TO COME UP WITH A BUNCH OF SAGE ADVICE FOR EVERY DAY IN NOVEMBER. YOU WILL START RUNNING OUT OF IDEAS.

Never overestimate your own ability to have smart advice. Usually all you can do is parrot wise things that other, wiser people have said.

Be cool, stay in school.

Don't do drugs.

November Nuggets of Wisdom #15

NaNoWriMo is halfway over and I still have all of my hair. There's no wisdom in that one. I'm just bragging.

On the downside, the bags under my eyes are big enough that they would have to go through checked luggage, not carry-on. Wait a second, that's not wisdom either. Ummm...get plenty of sleep? Or something.

Coffee...need more coffee...oh. Wisdom. Um, coffee addiction is not good?

WHO AM I KIDDING COFFEE IS AMAZING.

You should never...wait, you should always, addfathekedkadfpa dhafheaphas hpehpahpihass hhhhhhhhhk

Sorry, fell asleep there for a moment.

Ahhh....

Ummm...

Coffee. And stuff. And junk.

November Nuggets of Wisdom #14

"Tell the readers a story! Because without a story, you are merely using words to prove you can string them together in logical sentences.

- Anne McCaffrey

"There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are."

- W. Somerset Maugham
 

"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."

- Toni Morrison

"If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor."

- Edgar Rice Burroughs

November Nuggets of Wisdom #13

If you have a crush on somebody, don't do everything in your power to convince yourself that it's really "true love." What you really are is infatuated. If you think it's "true love," then you're just ridiculously infatuated. Infatuation is fun, but keep it in check. The more you obsess, the harder the letdown.

Keep in mind that 9 times out of 10, infatuation lasts around two years after you start your relationship. Don't try to convince yourself that you're the exception to that rule. This doesn't mean you can't make a commitment, it's just something you need to be aware of. After two years, your relationship becomes much harder work.

Ladies: No matter how cute the guy is, purposely falling on the ice so that he'll come help you is stupid. And painful. And yes, I speak from experience. Just don't do it, okay?

Love poetry is a lot like kissing: best kept strictly between the two people who are in a relationship together. Nobody else cares about your love poems. Sorry.

November Nuggets of Wisdom #12

Sometimes, it's better to be a little late than it is to drive yourself batty trying to meet unrealistic goals. There are days where you have to have this attitude:"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." - Douglas Adams

That being said, some deadlines are totally unforgiving. Carefully discern which deadlines are paramount and which are flexible. You'll make your life a lot easier that way. 

If it's a choice between turning in the paper late or not turning it in at all, turn in the paper late. As Aragorn says in the book The Lord of the Rings, "Need brooks no delay, yet better late than never." 

Show up to work on time. Seriously. People will more readily forgive you when you have a legitimate reason for being late if you usually show up on time. In fact, try to be five minutes early. You'd be surprised just how far that kind of behavior will get you in a job.

November Nuggets of Wisdom #11

Some hills are worth dying on. Select them carefully.

If it’s a choice between fighting over how socks should be folded and changing the way that you personally fold them, just swallow your pride and fold them the way the other person wants. Some hills are not worth dying on.

Discretion is the better part of valor. Every time.  There’s a reason that maxim has been around forever.

The older I get, the more I realize how spookily accurate Murphy’s Law is. Prepare accordingly. If that sounds depressing, think of it this way: Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

November Nuggets of Wisdom #10

“Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:…‘Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.’”

- Proverbs 8:1-3, 10-11 ESV

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”

- Proverbs 12:1 ESV

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

- Proverbs 15:1 ESV

Reading the book of Proverbs will leave you totally inspired.  It will also make you a little depressed. Read it anyway. 

November Nuggets of Wisdom #9

Spoiler alert: You are not perfect. Stop freaking out when you screw up. Then teach me how to stop freaking out, too.

It’s surprising how many issues can be resolved or lessened simply by taking a hot shower.

Giving advice is one of the easiest things to do. Following it is one of the most difficult. As Alice sings, “I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom take it.”

Sleep is sweetest when it’s well-earned. Work hard and sleep well.

November Nuggets of Wisdom #8

Depression is a heavy weight tied around your neck. On good days, you leave it behind, but for the most part, you carry it with you everywhere. Your body and your mind ache.  However, lugging that weight will eventually make you strong—and you will be stronger than the people around you who will never know what that burden feels like.

Carolyn Kizer says, “Poets are mostly interested in death and commas.” Just remember that while death may be fascinating in its own right, interest in commas will get you much further in life.

Writing is one of the cheapest, most efficacious coping skills available. It only costs as much as pen and paper.  Writing about your problems gives you psychological control over them. Once they’re on the paper, they are much more manageable.

Our feelings do not define us. In fact, they frequently lie to us. Even more than logic does. Sometimes logic leads to invalid conclusions, too.  So what are we to do in times of distress?  Hint: Run to God’s arms and let Him take care of it.