Lessons Learned

   So today I got in the car, and drove 4 hours away to see my best friend for the weekend.  And at one point I was literally driving through East Jesus, Nowhere, and I had a lot of time to think about things.  Which is sometimes awesome, and sometimes a terrible mistake, luckily this time it was a good thing.
  I started thinking about all the things I've learned since starting college.  Some are small and insignificant, some have drastically changed me in a good way and some have had the opposite effect.
So I'm just going to do this the easy way, by a good old fashioned list:
1. Those little things your parents used to nag you about, and you thought were pointless, are probably some of the best advice you'll ever get.
2. Just because you think someone is a good person, doesn't mean they are good for you.
3. Being involved is a good thing, but make sure you pick a place that fully accepts you for what you are, and who you do.  Compromising yourself or your beliefs for an organization is the WORST mistake you'll ever make.
4.  Listen to your friends. Don't take everything they say to heart, but honestly my friends have given me some of the best advice ever, and are completely honest with me.
5. Which leads to this: Surround yourself with people who will tell you what you need to hear not just what you want. Feeding your own ego and delusions (which we all have from time to time) will not benefit you in the least.
6.  The last lesson for now:  Learn to love yourself.  I just recently learned this myself.  You are only as smart, as good looking, as funny, as anything, as YOU think you are.  Don't get cocky, but be realistic without being critical. If you have a little pudge, know it, but don't think it makes you a whale, it doesn't.  If you aren't the smartest person, admit it to yourself, but don't hate yourself for it.  Just be you, because you are wonderful, well most of you are, some of you just suck, but hey it happens.

And as always, sleep well, love one another, and remember: Life is a choice, choose wisely.