These are 8 guidelines that I came up with, based on the kind of life experiences I've had in my short time on Earth. For each guideline, I'm including an example to help clarify what I'm speaking about. If you like what I have here, feel free to copy and paste this and pass it around the 'Net. Attribute it to me, or not, it makes no difference, because these are things I am sure others have experienced as well. Human experience is human experience and it needs no copyright.
I created these guidelines a year ago on an older blog. They didn't exactly belong on the blog in question as my blog was meant for stories. I've since abandoned that blog to focus on this and Foolbard, but maybe I will re-start another story blog. I dunno. We'll see.
Caveat: Keep in mind that I am a person that calls it like she sees it.
That being said, here's what I've got to say:
1)Be aware that you *can* take responsibility for your own actions and emotions. This generally means thinking before you speak and act in order not to hurt others, even yourself. Whether you believe in the existence of a representative of "absolute evil," or not, doesn't mean that excuses you for any irresponsible choices you make towards yourself or others.
2) At the same time, be aware that you don't have to take responsibility for other people's crap, no matter how empathic, gentle and tenderhearted you might be. If someone's having a bad day or taking things personally and you're feeling the effects of their temper tantrums, realize that it may not have anything to do with you at all and they're the ones who have to own up to their having a short fuse. And even if it does have to do with you, still be aware that the ones with the short fuse end up with the short end of the emotional stick when it comes to having friends.
3) Be aware that it's okay to cry and make a fuss when you need to. Not showing emotions can lead to mental instability. People who expect you, as a chronological adult, to be stoic and logical all the time are probably the ones who really need to let loose and feel they aren't allowed to for some weird reason. Don't let that be you--especially not to yourself.
4) Be aware that the Biblical passage about "putting away childish things" has been misinterpreted many times over. The grown-ups who created Bugs Bunny, Daffy and Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, the Animaniacs etc have made animation their jobs because they know that being an adult does not mean they have to stop watching what has been scornfully dubbed "kids' stuff" by 'obligatory' adults who take the Apostle Paul's writing way too seriously.
5) Sure, you're a chronological adult with adult worries. Be aware that it is easier to solve those worries when not spaced out on chemical vices that harm the body, mind and soul. Even antidepressants aren't a complete and permanent cure-all. I missed more school while taking Zoloft and Paxil than I did when feeling and experiencing those down and out emotions.
6) Be aware that being an adult doesn't mean you can't ask for help--ANY kind of help. Being independent is one thing, but having the desire to be completely and totally self-reliant and not ask for any outside help when you know you need it is quite another. Have the humility to ask for a helping hand. People will be more offended if you don't ask than if you did.
7) Be aware that as an adult with free will, it does not mean that doing as you want to will not have consequences of some kind.
8) Finally, be aware that as an adult, you have choices about the way you view the world. You do *not* have to see things the way your parents did, or react the way your parents reacted. You are your own person, your own soul, with your own views. Cherish that part of being human, because people can try to take away stuff that isn't theirs to take away. Once you know this in the core of your being, you will also know and remember that the people who try that kind of BS will experience the consequences (see #7).
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