The collective wisdom

The collective wisdom of middle aged experience:

Last week at work, we hosted two 14-year-olds for Take Your Kid To Work Day. Part of their experience included attending a staff meeting where I asked the staff to consider, given their life experience, what advice they would have given their 14-year-old self. This is some of what we came up with:

• Embrace change – nothing stays the same.
• Stay in school for as long as possible.
• Be positive.
• Start saving for retirement early – even if it seems impossibly far away.
• Try new things.
• Keep an open mind.
• Improve your vocabulary and reading skills.
• Have a good time.
• You become your friends - be careful with whom you choose to hang out.
• Balance your work life with an activity you love to do to.
• Think before you speak - quick, sharp words have the power to do serious damage.

  What would you tell your 14-year-old self?

Comments

[Kate]

Learn to make mistakes, live with the consequences and not repeat them.

[Jo]

Going along with the embrace change note - I would impress upon them that you don't go to university to study one something with only a singular career in mind (unless you are studying to be something specific like pediatric oncologist - then go right ahead!) My degree is in Applied Linguistics - and I did teach English as a Second Language / Reading for a few years - but now I am a kick-ass Contract Specialist (I write and negotiate contracts) - and trust me - all those linguistics and semantics classes have come in handy in the long run.

[Kristen]

An intriguing idea...
Consider the inner you more than the outer you; do what you know is right no matter what your peers say or do; act with kindness toward all.

[toni in florida]

You will love again and you will be loved again, so don't make permanent decision based on temporary (if horrifically painful) circumstances.

[Yarnhog (Suzanne)]

I'm going to print this and give it to my 12-year-old. He won't listen to me, but maybe he'll listen to you!

[chris]

Don't let others tell you what you must think. Your beliefs are yours, and yours alone, you do not have to justify them to others. But, always listen to someone else's opinion with respect, and ask the same from them.

[Rebekah (Knit Knack)]

oh those are all so very good......

Mine would be.

Don't try to fit into a box other's create for you, be proud of who and what you are no matter if its completely different the everyone else. Find peace in being you.

[Maureen]

What a wonderful idea!
What would I tell a 14 year old me - or any 14 year old....push yourself beyond what you're comfortable with, you'd be surprised with what you can do.

[Dorothy]

Wow - these are all good! After dealing with a constant parade of single moms coming through our practice, I would add - don't sleep with someone with whom you do not want to co-parent for the next 18 years.

[Andrea (@shutterbitch)]

I would tell my 14 year old self that high school is not life, so it won't last forever. The popular kids don't get away with murder forever; the dorks aren't dorks forever; nearly as soon as you graduate, possibilities for the future even up the playing field.

THat doesn't mean don't work hard or take your classes less seriously. That means that the social structure of high school is temporary so remember that, whether you're the one doing the making fun, or the one being made fun of.

Also, practice safe sex.

[Valeria]

I'd second the not getting a narrow education. I've been a reporter and editor (career 1) run a business (career 2) and am now a full time computer nerd (career 3). Fortunately, my university insisted that j-school students get a liberal arts degree underpinning the very limited number of hours we were permitted to take in the Mass Comm department.

Oh, and it you haven't done it already, memorize your multiplication tables. Most folks will use that and simple division more in their lives than any other math skill.

[Ellen]

I would tell myself that I am responsible for my own happiness. (You should never expect anyone else to do it for you!)

[Karen]

I'd tell my 14-year-old self that happiness comes from within. Attitude is crucial. Also I'd tell her not to be too hard on herself. Perfection isn't necessary!

[Rosie]

The best advice I ever got was to be True to Yourself in all things.

[Carrie]

Something I learned to live by: Try even when you "know" (read: think) you might fail. Life sometimes surprises you. And a huge second on finding happiness within yourself.

Would love a copy of the herringbone scarf patter!

[Liz]

Hi! Can I have a copy of the Herringbond Scarf pattern? Thanks!

Liz doggene@sbcglobal.net

[annie]

Hello! I'm interested in your herringbone scarf pattern. Wondered if you could send me a copy at annie.pie@hotmail.com? Much appreciated, it looks brilliant in all the photos! ;)

P.S. Advice for 14 year old me: don't sweat the small stuff! Things always change, eventually for the better.