Happy Atheist Forum

General => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: xSilverPhinx on December 14, 2018, 02:27:26 AM

Title: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: xSilverPhinx on December 14, 2018, 02:27:26 AM
If you could tell your past self something, whether it be some advice, a warning, a compliment or even some criticism, what would it be?

I would make sure I understood not to take anything for granted as soon as I was old enough to understand this.

I would reassure my 17-year-old self that even though it seemed like the world was about to end after my parent's divorced each other and fought over everything (I was close to both of them), things will get better.

I would advise my 21-year-old self to be more vigilant, that there are sick people who would try to destroy me but never did and never will. Being in the clutches of such monstrous people would induce despair, as they wanted it to, but I am a survivor -- something they didn't count on.

Of course there are many more as my whole life I've been trying to learn from my mistakes -- and the mistakes of others.
Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: jumbojak on December 14, 2018, 02:34:26 AM
I would say, "You are not nearly as clever as you think you are."
Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: No one on December 14, 2018, 03:13:31 AM
Patent Google.
Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: Tank on December 14, 2018, 06:36:03 AM
14 years old. Do Chemistry not Music. Then do science!
Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: Tank on December 14, 2018, 06:36:49 AM
Quote from: jumbojak on December 14, 2018, 02:34:26 AM
I would say, "You are not nearly as clever as you think you are."

I think that's a universal truth of the teenager :rofl:
Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: Asmodean on December 14, 2018, 07:45:55 AM
Buy Bitcoin for a dollar, sell for ten thousand. :D
Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: Icarus on December 15, 2018, 01:32:10 AM
I have to console myself when I think of some of the foolish decisions, and dismissed opportunities I had in my youth.  I have learned that self criticism is useful  but that self flagellation is not productive, and certainly not comfort making. 

We must not necessarily forgive ourselves for the dumb shit that we did but we had better not let it define our psyche either.  So we made some mistakes...........I made aplenty of them and there were some behaviors  that I am not proud of.  I/we should understand that poor judgements at the age of 17 are not the judgements we will make today.  Silver can tell us that brains do not develop fully until we are 24, 26, or more. 

I have some regrets but I refuse to let those regrets drive my destiny.   This from a guy who has been there, done that, for damned close to a century.



Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: Tom62 on December 15, 2018, 06:36:56 AM
I'd say "Don't spend so much time behind your computer. Go out, meet some new friends and have fun".
Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: Bad Penny II on December 15, 2018, 02:12:27 PM
Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: Essie Mae on December 16, 2018, 12:24:01 AM
Quote from: Icarus on December 15, 2018, 01:32:10 AM
I have to console myself when I think of some of the foolish decisions, and dismissed opportunities I had in my youth.  I have learned that self criticism is useful  but that self flagellation is not productive, and certainly not comfort making. 

We must not necessarily forgive ourselves for the dumb shit that we did but we had better not let it define our psyche either.  So we made some mistakes...........I made aplenty of them and there were some behaviors  that I am not proud of.  I/we should understand that poor judgements at the age of 17 are not the judgements we will make today.  Silver can tell us that brains do not develop fully until we are 24, 26, or more. 

I have some regrets but I refuse to let those regrets drive my destiny.   This from a guy who has been there, done that, for damned close to a century.




My regrets, if I dwelt on them are that I didn't go there, do that, for nigh on 60 years. I was too scared but then the grass on the other side always looks greener. I wouldn't say anything to my younger self because speaking from a position of reason to one who lives by faith is a pointless exercise. I didn't change until the weight of the doubts which came from my own reactions to what I was being asked to believe were so heavy that they overcame my fear and toppled my faith.
Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: Recusant on December 16, 2018, 07:49:17 PM
My younger self might not have listened, but . . .

While you're right about them, the sooner you set aside the disgust and despair humanity induces in you, the better.
Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: No one on December 17, 2018, 12:32:32 AM
Move along.
Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: xSilverPhinx on December 18, 2018, 10:22:55 PM
Quote from: Bad Penny II on December 15, 2018, 02:12:27 PM


:lol:

Title: Re: Things You Would Tell Your Younger Self
Post by: Asmodean on December 19, 2018, 09:58:33 AM
And just like that, a role model for The Asmo's twilight years was born  8)