You Need To Work Hard...

I am a generation older than you. You need to focus on one word in your post. Entitled. You aren’t entitled to s***, and being smart doesn’t make you worth anything to anybody. You need to work hard. You need to love something and do whatever you can to make it happen. You need to stop whining. Nobody cares that you are self-aware or that you filled your head with ideas you can’t seem to find a use for. Except maybe your parents.

The world is full of people struggling just to survive. If you don’t understand the depth of that, stop reading blogs all day and go take a trip. And don’t just go shopping for skinny pants on that trip.

Go find your own path. You can’t hate on office drones for finding their own happiness between the lines. Because the reality is (coming from somebody who has never really had a normal job, and who has managed to support themself by one form or another of whoring out their creativity and thinking) all that is really important are the little things. The other s*** you think is so credible, important and worthwhile is just empty. Go be a hit BLOG house artist. You’ll see how quickly that demystifies and how full of s*** people are.

Find somebody and something to love beyond yourself.
-old person

I haven't looked at Hipster Runoff in probably a year or so, mainly because I don't identify with the core demographic ("alt bros", "hipsters", "blipsters", etc.) and my aversion to the lingo (look at the last parentheses), but today I came across this gem of a post entitled "My job/career does not align with my personal brand [Generation Y and the mainstream workplace]." Pun intended.

(More after the break)

Feeding My Seeds 3.5

You better have money or a plan. You should really have both, but if you don't have a plan, you better have money.
Keep separate fingernail and toenail clippers.
Have emergency cash. For running out of gas. For bail. For when the ice cream truck comes by.
Courtesy flush.
Work first, play after.
Cornbread; ain't nothing wrong with that.

One Shoe Can Change Your Life

While sitting at my workstation a few weeks ago my boss handed me a stack of papers he had printed out from his email. Sometimes he shares HR case studies or other career oriented literature. Other times it’s the typical pictures of Barack Obama from around the world/inauguration celebrations. In more recent memory, there was MJ’s Memorial program. You know, the usual stuff. So, while de-cluttering my desk today I ran across a list he had given me in passing and really gave it a thorough look over. It was an email forward claiming to originate from Regina Brett of “The Plain Dealer” fame in Cleveland, Ohio. After a simple Google search, the origins proved to be valid. I was expecting Snopes to shoot it down, but hey, who knew some email forwards weren’t riddled (used loosely here) with lies and exaggerations. Anyway, she had a lot of good points and I’ve taken the liberty to extract some of them here and paraphrase others. You can check out her full unadulterated list here.

Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
When in doubt, just take the next small step.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
If a relationship has to be secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
Whatever don’t kill you really does make you stronger.
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
Today is special.
Over prepare, then go with the flow.
Be eccentric now.
No one is in charge of your happiness, but you.
Always choose life.
Forgive everyone everything.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
Believe in miracles.
Get outside everyday. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
The best is yet to come. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

Here’s an extra morsel for your pallet if you’ve made it this far. You can apply it as you see fit.

One shoe can change your life.
-Cinderella-

Spotted on the receptionist’s paperweight. Take it for what it’s worth.

Pic

Feeding My Seeds 3

Brushing without flossing, is like showering without soap.
Your body is a temple. Your temple. Treat it as such.
If you run out of IT, just add water. Water stretches EVERYTHING.
The refrigerator is not a time machine. The freezer is.
Use 2 ply. No more than 3 squares at a time.
Paper towels do not flush.
Look like you're listening.
Read everything that comes through your hands.
If He brought you to it, He'll bring you through it.
Faith is nothing without works.
Get your hands dirty. Then wash them.
Patience builds character. Perseverance builds success.

Feeding My Seeds 2

Relax and take notes.
Always wash under the door handles. (Editor's note: In this case I'm talking about cars, but feel free to use this bit of advice in any realm of life. Take that for what it's worth.)
Males: When urinating in a public restroom, always angle your back to the door. Trust me.
Older people are not always smarter than you. Keep that in mind. Alternatively,, often older people have experience that lends them wisdom which goes a long way. You need to keep an open mind and remember that they were not always old, they've simply lived your life many times over at this stage, so more often than not they know what they're talking about. Listen.
You don't have to be social to be sociable. (Mental note: expand on this)
Write down your thoughts. You're going to have some great ones and forget some great ones many times over.
Keep that. You're going to wish you had later.

Feeding My Seeds

Things I must remember to teach my children:

Talk to the "little people."
Always lather off the top layer of soap before you start washing. Think about the last body part you washed in previous shower and the first body part you'll wash in your current shower. This does not apply when using body wash.
Tie your shoes tight when playing sports.
Think first, speak second.
Do something tangible.
Listen.
Do not share food, utensils or cups.
The 10 second rule does not apply unless you 1. Rinse off the food in question. 2.
Say, "God kiss it, devil miss it." 3. Never applies to gum.
Fish is a meat. As are eggs.
Never accept inferiority. Don't settle.
Reading is better than television.
Help people.
People > money.
Quality of life > things.
Towels can be used more than once.
Stretch.
Smile.
Write down your thoughts and date them. It will make sense later.
Never shake hands in the bathroom.

Hopefully I'll periodically add to these thoughts and look back on them when I need them.