February 21, 2008

Before 18? Or At least before 41!


I have been tagged by the wonderfully talented Los Angelista at www.LosAngelista.com
Within this meme are some very important issues for our youth and I suppose this could not come at a better time. I am very unconventional, free-spirited and probably a hippy at heart ~ so BEWARE! I shared Los Angelista's list with my son! I have not shared mine ~ NOT YET! But I am sure that I will, when he's 15!
Just kidding.

Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules before presenting your list.
2. List 6 actions or achievements you think every person should accomplish before turning 18.
3. There are no conditions on what can be included on the list.
4. At the end of your blog, choose 6 people to get tagged and list their names.
5. People who are tagged write their own blog entry with their 6 suggestions.
6. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged.



The First and Foremost action I would like to share that one should have accomplished by 18...and I believe this to also be an achievement, even though it is very unlikely that you will have even the tiniest inkling of who you really are: To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.
~~ William Shakespeare


I say that because of the pressures to be during teen aged years. Be cool, be smart, be - with an expectation or realization that often really is not your own. If you at least attempt to wake up every morning, listening to your heart and being true to yourself, forsaking all others and refraining from allowing ANYONE to define you, you have embarked on a good day.

Secondly, give your self permission to breathe. Two nieces, who are under 18, are in a constant flux trying to live up to this and that, accomplishing this and that ~ and I always try to remind them that it is okay to make mistakes, let folks down, be who you are -- THEN BREATHE. The youngest of my neices (there are three total) seems to be the least fretful. Maybe from hearing the other two constantly fret? I don't know, but it is essential youth know that life goes on, even after the hundredth mistake. I unfortunately did not achieve this until I was 35!





Third, give the gift of you and be blessed by it while you are still young. SO many of our youth are killing themselves, and others. STOP IT! WE love you! WE NEED YOU! You matter! There is something special that each person came here to give. Don't destroy that, share it! There are fields and fields of services that need the gift of you. Feed someone, mentor someone, save a dog, a cat, a tree or another teen. Definitely get involved so that when it is time you can be in a place to help us shape this world




Fourth, take care of that gift that is you. Before you know it you are a scrunchy old hag like me! Don't Super size yourself. Eat right and exercise.

Fifth, SEE THE WORLD! There are exchange programs. Church programs. Expeditions. Not to party, but to promote learning about one another.

AND FINALLY, Write about it.




I am SO fascinated by my fellow bloggers, their experiences, their writings, their view points, their international lifestyles ~
Many are young writers, but they are so experienced and they have a voice. Nurture that. I started writing journals, letters, stories, poems...quite young. Read and write. And that is Houseonahill's "Healthier, Happier, You!!!!" six tips that should be attempted before 18!

THANKS FOR INDULGING ME ON MY FIRST TAG! Thanks Los Angelista! I don't know how I did, BUT I had fun~~

My six fellow bloggers to be tagged ARE (drumroll):

MommyJournals ~ Houseonahill.net

Alkamae Blog

Pentad

Color Online

Gullibility

Mes Deux Cents

3 comments:

Tami Daun said...

Goodness. I am going to have to think about this during the weekend.

Liz Dwyer said...

I think you did a fantastic job with this. I totally agree with everything you said and love that you encouraged them to write about it!

And you're so right. If only us old folks did all this too!

Unknown said...

Whew, Thanks Los Angelista,
I enjoyed this and hope we reach someone in need with this meme!

Enjoy the day ~ and I hope you catch some of the C-Span broadcast today ~ REALLY good dialogue!