Now, here's the problem. Your old High School has asked you to speak to the students. But not about writing, oh no. You're not that lucky. You have to stand in the auditorium in front of the whole assembled student body and give them advice on life.

Here's today's question. Summarize one piece of advice (tip, hint, guideline, moral or ethical rule, etc), that you would like to pass on to the students. It can be serious or not, good or bad, but it must be something you would actually say.

Here's mine.

Good behavior is inherent in all of us, and can be nurtured just as bad behavior can be. However, bad behavior is all learned.

Accountability to the society in which you live is the greatest virtue, while obedience to that society is only of dubious virtue.

Oh wait, that was 3. Well, take your pick, then.

At the same time, never be too confident in the rightness of your own conclusions.

quote:

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Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding

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"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."

I think that about sums it up. We live in a society where kids are constantly having it hammered home that all that matters is that you have fun. That's crap. My younger brother has had fun every day of his life and he still lives off of welfare. What matters is that you always strive for the top (or at least, that you always give an honest effort). You know? Shoot for the moon, and even if you miss you'll land among the stars. Aim high. Grab the bull by the horns and fight. Presidents, champions, generals -- these people didn't get there by skirting danger or never losing. Heck, these people have had tons of losses in their lifetimes. But they became great in spite of that, because of their desire to succeed and win. We should embrace competition, revel in it, and fight like h*** to finish on top. THat doesn't just make you better, it makes those around you better.

So when you run for president, lead a brigade, or coach a team in the championship game -- it's NOT okay that you got beat. You'll hate it. You'll figure how to get better so it doesn't happen again. But then you'll move on and forget about it.

So I say hate the losses, but not those who beat you. Despise the setbacks, but not the effort that leads you there. GO ahead and get your hopes up, and if you fall short, so what? Look how much farther you made it than if you had set your sights low.

And if you do make it....

NOW....THAT's worth writing a story about!

"Some things in life are bad,
THey can really make you mad.
Other things just make you want to swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's grissle,
Don't grumble
Give a whisle,
And this'll 'elp things turnout for the best.

And...

Always look on the bright side of life..."

That applies more particularly to the high school from which I graduated, but it also applies to the small private school I attended for a time, including some highschool. However, in the second case, I think that I would accept an invitation to have an informal discussion with the students interested in writing if the membership were still the same size it was when I was there. But in that case, I would restrict my advice to advice on writing, I wouldn't presume to give them advice on life generally.

Or you could use my older brothers advice: If I ever catch you doing this, I'll kick your ass. That worked until he moved out.

Though I don't have many real regrets yet in life, those that I do are primarily due to me being too cautious and not willing just to go and do something truly crazy and random just because it sounded interesting:

Be yourself no matter what everyone else is doing. Don't pretend to be someone you're not for the sake of popularity or any other reason. It is not worth it.

"Where's the blood? If you aren't bleeding then stop crying and try again."

What I meant was stop fake-o crying everytime you stump your toe, bump your knee, etc. They were both such drama queens.

But I guess it could also mean, stop making yourself into a victim, get over it.