Tips For Life: Part 2

After my first blog, then the bros and girls blogs, I realized I had left some things out. These are those things.

1. To parents: remember your child has to live with the fact that you're their parent. They have your genes and have to deal with everything you've done that's out of their control. It wouldn't do you any harm to think before you open your mouth or do something regrettable. Your past might haunt you, but it haunts them too, and could eventually drive them far, far away from you. 
2. Stop being so judgmental, it's not cool. Just because they don't dress like you or hang out with the same people as you do, doesn't mean they aren't an awesome person inside. I'm friends with all types of people and they can vouch for me. Some of my "uncool" friends are the best people I know. 
3. Get rid of that attitude. The one where if it's not your way it's the highway. That will get you absolutely no where in life. 
4. Learn some manners. Sometimes a simple thank you can completely change someones day around and make them feel appreciated. Plus, being rude is just rude. No one likes rude people. I hate rude people, they make me very angry. 
5. You have a family, they might not be blood related, but everyone has one. Always stay connected to that family, when times get tough they are gonna be the ones there to pick you up, brush you off, and tell you that you are going to be fine. At some point, you're going to need them. 
6. Accept change. People change everyday, and it's something you have to get used to. It's hard, but it has to happen in order to deal with life. 
7. Make connections. If I've learned anything in FBLA it's that networking is the most important thing you can do. You may never know who that person you're sitting next to is until you take a chance and start a conversation, they just might be someone extremely important.
8. There is no need to be prejudice, sexist, or racist. Seriously, the color of someone's skin, their religion, their waist size, or their gender should never be the basis of your opinion on who they are inside. These days people decide their opinion of each other at first glance, stop doing that. It's amazing the people you'll meet when you push those judgements out of your head. 
9. Take a lesson from children. Before you thought you had to conform to fill the mold others created, you were imaginative and full of ideas. Try to think outside the box and color the cow purple instead of brown. Stop trying to be so cool, if you just decide to be yourself, you're automatically cool.
10. There's no reason for you to talk to someone 24/7. Believe it or not, it does you some good to have a little time for yourself. You really don't need all that attention. It's nice some times, but not all the time. If you can be alone you're much stronger than someone who needs to talk to people at all times. 
11. Music can be good and music can be bad. Most of the time music is created to evoke a feeling. Watch out that those feelings created by a song, don't take over your life. Music is wonderful, and an amazing escape. Don't let it be your only escape. 
12. Don't let one thing about a person change your total opinion about them or how you act around them. So what Anderson Cooper is gay, he's still an awesome reporter. One thing doesn't change who that person really is. *By the way I completely adore Anderson Cooper*
13. Pay attention to the world around you, being ignorant only hurts you. 
14. Try to get basic geography in school, no one wants to be caught on "Jay Walking" and not know what the United States looks like or what the capitol of the United States is. It'd also be good to learn proper spelling, reading, and grammar so you don't look like a fool.
15. When a friend needs you, be there. There are times to be selfish and say you can't do what they want, but there are times when you really need to drop everything and go be with them. If you can figure out that balance you'll have the best friends ever and forever. 

End of Part 2.

20 Things About Me

I've come to the conclusion, that a lot of people really don't know that much about me. So I'm going to list some things about myself that I think and approve of everyone knowing.

1. I want to be the President or a CEO of a large company. I'd rather be President. If I can't get to one of those, I want a job where I get to be a part of a wrestling team for the rest of my life. 
2. In my life, I've only wanted three different careers: Vet, Psychiatrist, Businesswoman 
3. I absolutely refuse to go to college in Missouri, but once upon a time I was dead set on going to Drury.
4. I have extremely bad anxiety. I get attacks when people fight in front of me, when I think I'm going to get in trouble, when I have to do something brand new for the first time and I could embarrass myself, when I go into nursing homes, when I talk about my anxiety issues, and sometimes randomly. 
5. Itty bitty things about people bother me. If nothing about you bothers me, it's a miracle, so far that's only happened with one person. 
6. I want to get married in Vegas. Showing that much affection and being that vulnerable in public makes me nervous. 
7. I listen to bluegrass more than any other music. If I can't listen to that, I prefer country. 
8. I would rather wear a t-shirt and shorts than get dressed up. I only dress up when I absolutely have to. However, I love business attire and high heels. 
9. I'm very protective, probably overprotective of the wrestling room. I don't like when other girls are in there or when they want to be manager. It's like my sanctuary from the rest of school and I don't like sharing the team. 
10. I shoot trap. I shoot a lot. It's one of my favorite things to do. It's exhilarating and I love it. It will probably one of the things I'm still doing when I'm 80.
11. I don't like to trying to be friends. In fact, I'm really not that good of a friend unless I like you and want to be friends with you.
12. I don't ever want children. The idea of having to be responsible for a life other than my own terrifies me and makes me nervous. Plus diapers make me puke.
13. I'm an extremely fast reader and I comprehend it all unless I have to read out loud. If I read out loud, I usually mix the sentence order up and I can't remember a thing. 
14. I hate when people sound pitiful on the phone, it gets on my nerves. 
15. I have terrible sleep patterns. Sometimes I can sleep 12 hours and sometimes I can only sleep 4.
16. I suck at doing my hair. I can straighten it and that's about it. If my hair is ever actually styled, someone else did it. 
17. I used to drink milk all the time, but now it grosses me out and makes my stomach hurt. Now, I can only drink water, sweet tea, pepsi, or dr. pepper.
18. I read CNN all the time. It keeps me informed.
19. I only watch Dance Moms and Gossip Girl religiously. 
20. I'm very observant. It teaches me more than talking ever could. Therefore, I'm a pretty good judge of character. 

Wrestling

The title wrestling doesn't give this sport credit. To say a sport saved your life isn't uncommon. Wrestling didn't save my life. It's made me who I am. I have never stepped foot on a mat with the intention of wrestling. I've cleaned, tumbled, told stories, and laughed until I cried on those mats. My winters, springs, and summers revolve around being in that room and gyms across the state. I am lucky enough to say I don't just have a blood family, I have a wrestling family. For the past 5 years I've been stat girl, mat maid, wrestling manager, whatever you want to call it, to the Willard Wrestling Team.

Honestly, I have no idea what my life would be like if my brother had never decided to wrestle. I'd probably still be on the dance team or a cheerleader, I quit because they interfered with duals and tournaments. I used to want to go to LSU, until I found out they didn't have a wrestling program. I can't imagine my life without wrestling. I've found myself giving dirty looks to anyone who doesn't know who Cael Sanderson or Dan Gable is. The first time Cael Sanderson replied to me on twitter I screamed and bounced up and down like a little girl. When he followed me I practically passed out. I would rather read a wrestling magazine then some gossip bull. That's how obsessed I am.

I guess I really can't explain what wrestling is to me. That room is where I'm most comfortable. I  can be myself with a group of 20 people that share the same love. My life has been centered around a sport that is a family. The wrestling community is so connected, and we have to be to stand up for something that doesn't get nearly the credit it deserves. Dan Gable once said, "Once you've wrestled, every thing else in life is easy." I couldn't agree more with that. I know no matter where I go, I can connect with a wrestler. I can spot one from a mile away. I've met amazing people, I have so many brothers and 2nd moms and dads because of wrestling. I have no idea how I'm going to get through my last year with this particular family. However, I do know that in college, I'm going to do whatever it takes to be a part of a team, because I won't survive without one.

Tips for Life

Throughout my life I've established guidelines for myself, hopefully to get me some where in life. I will now share with you my "tips":

1. Don't hold yourself back for one person. Unless that person is your child, you need to do what's best for you. 
2. Don't rely on relationships in high school. I don't think dating in high school is a good idea, but that's because I don't want to be stuck here because of feelings. I know plenty of high school relationships that are still going strong. They're the exception. Most likely, you are not the exception.
3. If you don't like someone, don't lead them on. This applies in all aspects: dating, friendship, potential assistants/employees. Giving them any hope is mean. At the same time, do not be rude to them. They've done nothing wrong to deserve to be treated in a rude manor. 
4. Try your absolute hardest to tell the truth. Most of the time it sucks, and is super hard to do. However, it's gonna suck 10 x more if or when they find out you lied. You're also going to be respected by a lot of people for being "real" (whatever that means). 
5. Care about what people think. If you didn't care you'd be trashy, dirty, and probably unhealthy. 
6. Don't care about what people think. There's a line that needs to be drawn when it comes to how much you care. Don't let their opinion of you affect the way you live, unless it will improve your life. 
7. Be nice. Nice guys finish last is such bull crap. I try my hardest to be a nice person, sometimes I have to let the mean out, but I try to be nice and polite to everyone. It will give you more opportunities then you think.
8. Suck it up. Life isn't easy, things are going to get really, really hard sometimes. You're allowed to feel pain and let those bad times make you cry. Don't let them break you apart. Cry, mourn, hurt. But there comes a time when you need to suck it up and move on. Don't forget, but don't get stuck.
9. Let it hurt. If you don't know what I mean please refer to the Rascal Flatts song Let it Hurt. You have to let things get to sometimes, they're changing your life and who you are as a person. You can't ignore it forever. Use that hurt to grow. You can either give up or keep going. Make a valiant effort to keep going. It'll be worth it in the end. 
10. Don't take everything personally. Somethings are going to feel like a knife in your stomach, chances are it wasn't meant to hurt that badly. There's a reason people say no offense before they say something that offends you. They don't want it to, but it has to be said. Use what they say and brush it off. Sometimes things are going to really, really bother you. You'll need to learn how to deal with that and eventually it won't bother you anymore. 
11. Get some self-esteem. Seriously, when you respect yourself, so do other people. When you can be comfortable in your own skin you can do anything. Stop tearing yourself down, try to look in the mirror and pick out what you love about yourself. Then reach inside, and look at your personality, there are going to be good and bad things. Pick out the good and really polish those. You'll feel so much better and realize you don't need all that attention you thought you did. 
12. Smile. Smiling opens up amazing opportunities. People love smiling. 
13. Be bold. Introduce yourself to strangers, perfect your handshake, know how to brag about yourself (without really bragging),  and don't be afraid to stand out. The ones who don't act "cool" are probably going to get further in life than those who care what everyone thinks. 
14. Partying isn't really that awesome. If your life revolves around partying, I feel extremely sorry for you. Try to have fun while being completely sober. It isn't that hard and you can remember it. Don't abstain from partying though, have fun, just don't make bad decisions that are going to hurt you in the morning.
15. Find something to live for. Not just one thing, multiple things. Set a goal and achieve it. Then set another one. Have a purpose in your life. Without a purpose you're going to get lost. Try not to get lost. 

That's all for now. I hope these can help someone like they've helped me. They will probably be more later when I remember something important.