Numbers 90-81:
90. Deal with rejection and disappointment: Oy. This is a hard one. The truth is, we as humans are programmed to fear rejection and disappointment from an early age. We learn pretty quickly how yucky it feels to fail at something and how quickly something can go from exciting to disappointing if all of the things we've been working for fail to fall into place the exact way we'd hoped. I'm not saying that you shouldn't feel rejected or disappointed when the situation calls for it. I am saying that dealing with those feelings in a mature and rational way is a good sign that you're on your way in life. Learn from your mistakes, pick yourself up and dust yourself off... start all over again. Keep your good attitude even when things seem at their worst. Be an inspiration to others.
89. Use chopsticks: Both your mom and dad know how to use chopsticks. You will learn, too! Not only is it a nice way to experience things in a different way from the typical "American Culture" but you also learn to eat more slowly than you would if you were shoveling your food in your mouth with a fork. Just think, you'll impress all of your friends with your chopstick ninja moves and they'll beg you to teach them how to do it, too! You're so lucky that you have cool parents who want you to know how to do cool things. Hee hee...
88. Celebrate and congratulate: When you accomplish awesome things in your life you SHOULD celebrate those achievements! Even if no one else is patting you on your back, learn to pat yourself on the back when you deserve it! If someone helped you get to that achievement along the way, congratulate them on a job well done, too! Never walk on someone else or steal someone else's ingenuity to get to the top. Always acknowledge the input of others, recognize the work they did to help you get to your goals, and share in the success!
87. Open a bottle of champagne: Okay, you won't be doing this for a while. BUT, when we do show you how to do it the most important rule of opening a bottle that is under pressure in ANY WAY... NEVER point it at something/someone you care about. Bad things, man. Bad things.
86. Build a campfire (and put it out): Despite what your dad might tell you, you don't NEED a full can of lighter fluid to build a campfire. If you like your eyebrows and your arm hair NOT singed, you may want to learn how to build a good smaller fire. We'll go over this when we go camping, but the general rule of thumb is you want a couple of solid larger logs, a lot of kindling (smaller sticks), and some fire starter materials. Don't pack it all too tightly, you also need good air flow to keep your fire stoked! As far as putting it out goes, always be sure your fire is COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED before you leave your camp site. Even small embers can re-spark a fire that can burn out of control if left unattended.
85. Deal with tragedy: I never want you to experience anything tragic in your life, but it is unavoidable. I can't tell you how to feel about tragedies or how you will react when something happens that takes the wind out of your lungs, literally and metaphorically. I can say that the best thing you can do for yourself is to talk about it with someone you trust. Keeping your sorrows pent up inside of you is like caging an angry lion. If you keep it confined to a small space (just yourself), over time it will slowly grow more and more out of control. If you let it out, let it roam free in a larger more controlled area (a few people you trust), it can still be a dangerous thing, but much less likely to get out of control.
84. Get along with people you may not like that much: Oh girl... there will be so many of these people in your life. Sadly, we do not often get to choose the people we work with, who live near us, who are assigned to help us do certain tasks... we just have to grin and bear these people. Don't be rude, but you don't have to give up your life's story to these people either. You don't have to get along with everyone, but you don't have the right to be mean or condescending to them either.
83. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide without using a calculator: I'm not talking about HUGE numbers, but you do need to have a general idea of how to do math mentally or you'll wind up paying too much for something, not have enough money with you, not get all of the materials you need to finish your project... the list goes on and on. Always have a general idea of the "numbers" surrounding what you're doing and you won't find yourself unprepared in any situation.
85. Deal with tragedy: I never want you to experience anything tragic in your life, but it is unavoidable. I can't tell you how to feel about tragedies or how you will react when something happens that takes the wind out of your lungs, literally and metaphorically. I can say that the best thing you can do for yourself is to talk about it with someone you trust. Keeping your sorrows pent up inside of you is like caging an angry lion. If you keep it confined to a small space (just yourself), over time it will slowly grow more and more out of control. If you let it out, let it roam free in a larger more controlled area (a few people you trust), it can still be a dangerous thing, but much less likely to get out of control.
84. Get along with people you may not like that much: Oh girl... there will be so many of these people in your life. Sadly, we do not often get to choose the people we work with, who live near us, who are assigned to help us do certain tasks... we just have to grin and bear these people. Don't be rude, but you don't have to give up your life's story to these people either. You don't have to get along with everyone, but you don't have the right to be mean or condescending to them either.
83. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide without using a calculator: I'm not talking about HUGE numbers, but you do need to have a general idea of how to do math mentally or you'll wind up paying too much for something, not have enough money with you, not get all of the materials you need to finish your project... the list goes on and on. Always have a general idea of the "numbers" surrounding what you're doing and you won't find yourself unprepared in any situation.
82. Take a taxi home (or call mom) when you’re not fit to drive: There will come a time when you may find yourself impaired to the point you are unable to operate a vehicle. Mama's not going to fault you for having a good time, but I will string your ass up if you don't do the responsible thing by calling a cab or calling someone you trust to come and get you. You had a good time, you drank too much... fine. Your good time doesn't give you the right to put your life or anyone else's life in danger. You may feel fine to drive, but you need to remember that your liver takes about an hour to break down the alcohol content of one "drink" and that "drink" is different amounts of liquid depending on what you're drinking at the time. If you've had two drinks in 30 minutes and have to leave... you shouldn't drive. Be smart, know your limits, don't take chances.
81. Write an essay: You'll do a lot of this in school, but it doesn't hurt to do it in your spare time, either. This entire blog is just a series of essays I've written to you on my own, in my spare time. Essay writing is a great way to exercise your brain, practice your writing skills, and get your point across. We live in a glorious era where ANYONE can be a writer! Not only can you be a writer for yourself, but you can write things for other people to read, too! (Hello out there GGD readers!) I hope your little brain spills itself out into the world via your writings because I can already tell you're smart and opinionated. You should share that with the world!
I'm going to break from the "100 things" posts in the next blog entry because I want to talk about my new pet project and many of the new and exciting things you're doing as you work your way into toddler-hood! Look for a new post by the end of the week!
