I would love to start this post by saying how right I was, but, that's not the truth. In all honesty, the things we hear growing up are stupid, not relevant to our lives and a waste of our time, until they start coming true. This has been reflected by me, since the end of high school, in a number of ways, I'll go down the list as I remember them coming true.
"Your friends matter, but not as much as your family. We're the ones you're stuck with." I remember this being said, in some form, countless times as I grew up. There were times that I chose to invest time with my friends rather than time with my family. It's not that my family was overbearing or trying to absorb more of my time than they ought, rather, the importance of wanting to spend time with family was the message that was trying to be relayed. Years later, as I look back, I have the memories with those friends, but the contact isn't there. We talk from time to time, suggesting that we go on a trip or have another moment, but it doesn't work out; life has a way of moving you into new relationships, you have to be prepared and able to transition.
"Don't fall in love too early" or "Don't rush into anything" Again, this one came up in various forms. I'll admit, I was always a helpless romantic. I have countless ideas of a perfect moment, a perfect time or a great way to spend time with an amazing person. Part of this is because of my upbringing, part of this is because how I'm wired and part of it is crippling. I remember always trying to start something with someone growing up. Granted, I'm far from grown and as far as relationships go, I know I don't have them figured out. But, I've backed off a lot. Life, along with the curveballs it spits out, presents the right moment with the right people. Develop into the kind of person who can and will find love, don't be the person who "Falls in love" and can't get out.
"Don't worry, you wouldn't like it" Don't let people say this to you. I understand, you have your own tastes. But, figure out WHY you don't like something for yourself. I have a strong dislike for fish. I don't like the smell of it cooking, I move too fast to want to spend time fishing and I don't like the taste. But, I love sushi like no other. Things can be better than the sum of their parts, your tastes will change and you will grow. While you may not like whatever "it" is (for me, the list includes cooked carrots, While you Were Sleeping and other oddities) the list of things you can, and should try is just as long. Try things, learn why you don't like them, then try something else.
"It's ok..." This was easy to disagree with, during my teenage years and early college life especially. However, as my life goes on, day in and day out, it is ok. It's not on time, its not as bright as you planned and they're not as tall, but, as the end of the day, it is ok. Things, when viewed with the right attitude, turn out just fine.
"You'll figure it out..." This one, as much as I'd like to say came true, didn't. It comes true, but, my life has never had an "Ah-ha!" moment. Whether it was getting my degree or figuring out where I want to live, things get figured out, never mapped out. Life is unpredicable, love is inexplanably short, nights sometimes last too long and the world keeps turning. You were plopped down here because you have the integrity to figure it out, even if all you've figured out is that you don't want to move for the next hour, you've got one hour down, only a few more to go.
Life is exciting because no one has done what we're doing now. Good luck, to you, figuring out your life for the first time ever. Remember, every person you see and the ones you don't (myself included) has to do the same.
-Mattaghetti
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