I have now come to the point in my journey where I must begin to set a proper code of conduct for myself so as to best reach my potential. The following is my new rulebook:
1. Never Lose Sight of Who You Really Are. I have often stumbled about in the mists of fantasy and self-indulgence, forgetting that I have a purpose and losing direction by wandering off the right path. If I hold on to the core of myself, I know I will always come back to where I need to be.
2. Don’t be Afraid of Failure or Success. It is substantially easier, though less fulfilling, to lead a mediocre life, barely scraping by on natural talent and the kindness of others. But while I have been able to skate by in some things, my life will get even more complicated next year when I graduate college. When that happens, I can either flap my wings and make for the open skies or stay in the nest and be a child forever (but only a child insofar as not maturing. I’m pretty sure there’s no way to turn back the clock there.) I will aim for those beautiful and terrifying skies, and I will not give up if I fall to the earth the first time or the first twenty times.
3. You Must Take Care Of Yourself First To Take Care of Others Later. This is a hard one for me, because I’m so concerned about my friends that I often neglect myself. I must remember that there are people who depend on me, and if I let myself crumble because I’m pushing my limits in an unhealthy way, they will suffer as well. When I have a family of my own (which I desire more than anything), this will be even more important. Related to this:
4. You Must Be A Beautiful Woman. I cannot forget that I am blessed with charming good looks and (when I bother to take care of it) a curvy-in-all-the-right-places figure. I am decidedly female, and I should stop trying to change or hide that. That means no more dressing up as men and most certainly no more letting myself get fat just because I’m lazy. I deserve better, and the man I’m going to marry deserves better (whoever the heck he is). Wearing makeup is a plus too.
5. Be the Friend You Wish You Had. See previous blog post on this one.
-DTA
AWESOME! Seriously.
By: Dad on May 3, 2010
at 10:21 am
On 3, I’d…well, I’ve got some tweaked-out views of my own. When you start with yourself, well…you end with yourself. And that conflicts with 5 quite soundly.
I would say to take care of others first, but always keep in mind that you need to be functional in order to achieve that primary goal. It’s…heh, it’s actually a bit of game theory. You do what’s best for others, in consideration of the big picture.
That ensures that you stay focused in the right path. Because when you try and make a friendship with self-focus, you end up making it a drainship all about your needs.
It’s in others that we find our own meaning.
By: Andy on May 3, 2010
at 11:21 am
Love it! I’m going to bookmark this and reread it as needed, Thanks Riza! <3
By: Sarah H. on May 3, 2010
at 3:54 pm
This was lovely and amazing to read. Good pointers for all, I may try sticking to them myself.
By: midnightmiss on May 4, 2010
at 12:44 pm