Hold deep and strong in the very deepest wells of your soul the incontrovertible fact that none of these people will matter the slightest to you, have any impact on your future, hold any sway over your fortune, or any input into your destiny. Recognize that high school is a killing field of trimming neurons, overflowing hormones, untrained judgement and uninformed decisions colliding with each other and maximizing bloodshed. Also recognize that the amount of bloodshed and collision is far, far, far less than it seems. Understand that any decision or choice that does not risk addiction, incarceration, serious injury or death is a decision to be taken in the affirmative. You will regret the chances not taken far more than the risks that did not go your way. Internalize that everyone around you is just as frustrated, just as afraid, just as awkward, just as acned, just as insecure, just as sad, just as angry and just as despairing as you. Also internalize that no one is allowed to say this. The twilight region between childhood and adulthood is a dark place where vision is scarce. Its denizens rely on smell: they can smell fear. They can smell fakery. They can smell a rat. Be true to yourself, be true to others, be true not only to you but to your idealized version of you. Appreciate that in the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king and a modicum of self-esteem and motivation shall make you a leader. Know that smiles are contagious and that simply paying attention to someone can make you a friend for life. If you pretend you're happy you will eventually fool even yourself. If you put others' concerns ahead of your own they will follow your example. Appreciate that the Internet is homogenous but the people around you are unique. Focus on those you can physically touch, not those who type long, obnoxious platitudes aimed vaguely in your direction. Talk is cheap. Touch is priceless. Watch John Hughes films. All of them. Not all of them are great but nearly all of them are good. The archetypes change, but the song remains the same: adolescence is a trying time for everyone and has been since the invention of the teenager. You will survive it. You will look back. And you will assign an undue importance to everything that happens within the next two years for the rest of your life - that's just the hormones talking. In order to leave the trap of your own creation before you're forced to live in it, remember that 'high school' is a pejorative prefix for the rest of the world for a reason. It all seems more important than it actually is, and unless you take steps now to nip that shit in the bud, it always will be. Good luck. Stay strong, play hard, use protection and steer clear of anything intravenous or deriving from red phosphorus. You'll be fine.
This reminded me so much of a piece that was popular on Dr. Demento when I was a pup - the "Deteriorata", pasted below (which actually became a lot funnier for me, when I heard what it was a parody of, "Desiderata"). Go placidly amid the noise and waste
And remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof
Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep
Rotate your tires Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself
And heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys
Know what to kiss, and when Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do
Wherever possible, put people on hold
Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment
And despite the changing fortunes of time
There is always a big future in computer maintenance You are a fluke of the universe
You have no right to be here
And whether you can hear it or not
The universe is laughing behind your back Remember The Pueblo
Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate
Know yourself
If you need help, call the FBI
Exercise caution in your daily affairs
Especially with those persons closest to you -
That lemon on your left, for instance Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls
Would scarcely get your feet wet
Fall not in love therefore. It will stick to your face
Gracefully surrender the things of youth: birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan
And let not the sands of time get in your lunch Hire people with hooks
For a good time, call 606-4311. Ask for Ken
Take heart in the bedeepening gloom
That your dog is finally getting enough cheese
And reflect that whatever fortune may be your lot
It could only be worse in Milwaukee You are a fluke of the universe
You have no right to be here
And whether you can hear it or not
The universe is laughing behind your back Therefore, make peace with your god
Whatever you perceive him to be - hairy thunderer, or cosmic muffin
With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal
The world continues to deteriorate
Give up! You are a fluke of the universe
You have no right to be here
And whether you can hear it or not
The universe is laughing behind your back
That said, you are 100% correct in everything you write here. It's really good advice. Great advice though KB.Hold deep and strong in the very deepest wells of your soul the incontrovertible fact that none of these people will matter the slightest to you, have any impact on your future, hold any sway over your fortune, or any input into your destiny.
-Unless you let them. I've noticed that in the FB culture that we are in, many people still allow their feelings from HS, the hierarchy that dominated daily life to continue on in to adulthood. Its crazy, but it happens. It all seems more important than it actually is
-Man, this is so spot on. You think you're the most anything when you are in HS. I'm the most in love, sad, happy, talented, all-knowing, spiritual, in touch, inquisitive, talented that I'll EVER be. Nope -- the good things can get even better and the bad things can diminish, given time.