This month marks 20 years since I graduated high school. Mazel tov to me; to my fellow students of Yavne High School at the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland, and to grads of ’92 all over the world. In a neat twist, I am blessedly grateful to God for my eldest daughter who is 20 years younger than me and is graduating high school next week. Mazel tov!
Here’s what I’ve learned:
1. People will, of their own accord, follow up on their commitments without reminders approximately 10% of the time.
BUT lots of the 90% think they’re the 10% so good luck with that.
2. You never need to buy anything at full price. There’s always a smarter way.
BUT consciously indulge every once in a awhile. It’s fun.
3. Phrases like “I need some me-time”; “It’s the principle of the matter”; and “I just need to vent/rant” are usually rationalizations for selfish behavior camouflaged as mental health directives.
BUT don’t tell that to your spouse.
4. When life feels overwhelming, it’s usually because I need a nap.
BUT maybe that’s because I don’t drink coffee.
5. Potty training is worse than adolescence.
BUT adolescence lasts a lot longer.
6. Every person has free will to accept or reject a life of faith. There will always be compelling factors on both sides.
BUT most people in this world have never taken the time to embark on a serious educational quest on the issue.
7. My parents were way more in the know than I thought when I was a teen.
BUT it might take my kids another 20 years to figure out that so am I.
8. Baby food is a scam. Applesauce is applesauce and oatmeal is oatmeal.
BUT it took me 5 kids to stop buying it.
9. Secrets are almost always more damaging in than out.
BUT if you make me a surprise party, I’ll forgive you.
10. You can say pretty much anything – even tough truths – to the people you love.
BUT plan your words very wisely.
What truths have you learned since graduation?
Very funny and witty! I had never seen your blog before. I particularly like the last one.
Thanks ZP 🙂 Welcome to OOTOB. Your blog is really nice too. Hope to read more of it.
Thanks!! I'm glad, B"H!
number 3… all the way!!
Old friends are good friends
The best 🙂
Many kids spend way more time figuring out what they need in a college to have the perfect experience. More time than they spend thinking about what they want in a life partner. And as a SHHS counselor once said: It is much easier to switch colleges than life partners.
It took me about 20 years to figure out number 7. 😉
There are no secret or magic ingredients, or tricks that anyone else has. It's a matter of luck and hard work, so just do the best you can.
1) That high school may not be for everyone
2) That a GED is actually Good Enough.
3) That education alone cannot prepare you for tragedy
4) That who your high school friends are doesn't dictate your social status for life
I just want to know how you get through your busy life without coffee!
I'm trying to figure out how everyone else gets through life in need of coffee all the time 🙂 Seriously, my personality is very non-addictive. I hate needing things, so I try to not need them from the start.
You are sooo my kindred spirit.
Your friends from high school class are the ones that stay in your dreams. Whenever I dream that I am back in school, I dream of the class of '92 – we all have lots of hair, blue plaid uniforms (other than when the dream is of me showing up to school realizing that I forgot to put it on, but we can analyze that another time) and the halls where we spent a lot of time together. Twenty years on I am pretty sure I would still recognize each and everyone of my classmates, since they visit me from time to time in my dreams!
That's hilarious!
correlation to 5
terrible twos are worse then adolescence. but adolescence is still longer. but you're less sleep deprived so it sort of evens out.
thank you for number 3, it got me to straighten up instead of saying 'it was a long day i deserve to veg'.
Good point about the sleep deprivation!
Great list, was really funny:)
Thank you!
1)Happiness is a choice, not a result of circumstances.
2)EVERYONE has challenges in life, even those who look as if they don't.
SO true.
Shifra: brilliant.