20 May 2006

Palabras de ?Sabiduria? to the Princess

This weeks List Friday Challenge from Mrs Pom:
***She, "the Princess Graduate," could use a good list of reasons to be glad that college is over and life is beginning.
So for List Friday, please write a list of sound/funny/silly/advice for college graduates. What would you do again or wish you had done or would never do again?***

Well, much of what I did worked OK for me but I don’t know as I would advise others to follow my course. Obviously, if I knew then what I know now there would be much done differently but I will say that I learned many valuable lessons from the paths I chose. So, without further ado I will attempt to compile a list of “winsome, witty AND wise” things that I could have benefited from hearing upon graduation from college.

1. Don’t rush into anything. There’s plenty of time. Since you have the benefit of a peaceful home, use it to meditate on the possibilities available to you without having to be immediately immersed into the stress of supporting yourself and adjusting to a new life all by yourself.
2. If there is a significant other in the picture, consider carefully how much they affect any long-term decisions you make. (I did not do this.)
3. If you have any dreams, don’t feel they need to be fulfilled overnight but think about them and what direction you should be pointed in order to get there some day. In my case, I didn’t have any dreams that I was aware of. (Sounds like I was sort of shallow, huh?) In retrospect, though, my dream was to be self-sufficient, not having to depend on others for anything. Unconsciously I sauntered toward that end and eventually felt pretty self-sufficient- only to realize that maybe that really wasn’t my dream after all. Depending on others is an art I have only recently discovered the benefit of. (Even though you can do something "better" doesn't mean someone else doesn't have anovel slant to the task, right?) Still trying to cultivate the ability to practice this quality.
4. Until 20 years ago I didn’t realize either, the value of having God involved in all my decisions. I believed in God and was brought up to know the difference between right and wrong but when it came right down to it-when I would consider my steps- I didn’t even have a fleeting thought as to how God would feel about it. Often I made good decisions by chance but could have alleviated much heartache if I meditated on how my actions would affect God.
5. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

6. Attempt to be balanced.
7. Listen to all opinions but follow your own after careful thought.

I just read some of the other lists and wish I had read them when I graduated. I'd like to read a list from Mrs Staggs whose insight I adore. And Mrs. Pom...your advise is as sage and practical and at the same time feeling and loving. Maybe different advise than what you may have given when we made the step to graduation ourselves but I sense the same qualities behind the words.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

As your TT, I would like to add,(for the Princess) Listen to Mom & Dad. They are experienced in life. Second, remember that money does not make happiness. That comes from within because of the wise decisions you make in life. And #10, If you feel you make a mistake, LEARN from it, don't let it get you down. Thought I would try to finish your list Babe. Hope you don't mind.