I often have the wonderful opportunity of interviewing authors, and a question I enjoy asking is:
Do you have advice for your younger self when it comes to making decisions, believing in yourself, and/or writing? What would your current self say to the younger you?
Even if you aren't a writer, that's a great question to ask yourself regularly. I find that giving this the thought it deserves helps me as a mother and as someone who interacts with younger people socially and professionally. This could also be a writing prompt for your journal or an essay.
Like my own small children, I smiled a lot as a toddler and elementary student. Middle school kicked my butt and I wish I had known then what I know now...so this particular question really hits home for me. I think about the angsty teenage Crystal and just wish I could give her a hug and a cup of hot cocoa!
While you think about your own answer to this question, here's some pearls of wisdom I enjoy passing on to the younger people in my life:
- YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE MISTAKES - own them and move on!
Our mistakes don't define us and if you are constantly looking behind you, you're going to miss what's right in front of you. Don't let life pass you by because you're looking in the rearview mirror.
- PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE UNKIND - it has nothing to do with you!
Daddy used to tell me people poked fun of me because they were jealous. I guess today, ya'all call that bullying, but remember that "hurt people, hurt people". Those unkind words have more to do with the person saying them and not much at all to do with you. You are amazing and the unkind people may not want to admit to seeing that in you...but you know it's there, so try your best to ignore the unkindness. In addition to ignoring them - tell yourself twice as many positive things to counteract them! Look into that mirror and remind yourself how fabulous you are!
- YOU'LL NEVER REGRET GIVING IT YOUR ALL - no matter what the task, do it well!
I've been the girl cleaning the toilets and mopping the floor to earn a few bucks. I've also been the girl running the multi-million dollar company. Let me tell you, you've never seen a cleaner toilet, squeakier floors, or a more successful business. I fully believe it doesn't matter what you're doing - do it with a smile and do a complete job each time. If you're putting your name behind it, it should be a reflection of you!
- SMILE - everyone is prettier when they're smiling!
On the days you don't feel like smiling - fake it! I always recommend being authentic, but sometimes we need to fake a smile and here's why: when someone smiles at you, you smile back. So - what I'm saying is, you're gonna fake your smile and then collect enough genuine smiles through the day that yours becomes authentic too! For real - this works! There's always something to smile about anyway - even on our darkest days, there are birds chirping and babies being born...somewhere... so smile! (see the pic above - doesn't that smile make you smile?)
Well - my list goes on, but my coffee cup needs refilling and the sun is shining - so I'm gonna grab a to go mug and hit the trails! I wish I could tell my teenager self that eventually she would get a horse - she'd never believe it! I'm out - gonna go live the dream. So - while I'm riding horses, you go ahead and leave some comments (comments are like hugs for bloggers)
What is your advice and who do you think it will help most?
What is the best advice you received and who was it from?
What makes you smile?
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| Shown from left to right: Delphine riding Honey Mr. Otto holding Eudora Crystal riding Marv. Thank you Forward Farm, LLC |
You can find Crystal milking cows, riding horses, and the occasional unicorn (not at the same time), taking the ordinary and giving it a little extra (making it extraordinary), blogging and reviewing books here, and at her own blog - Crystal is dedicated to turning life's lemons into lemonade and she has never (not once) been accused of being normal!
2 comments:
Crystal these are some great pearls of wisdom to pass on to young people. The best advice I was given was to always view my challenges as lessons that will help me grow.
Enjoy life and things being imperfect, including yourself, because being so serious sucks the joy out of life.
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