Day 8: A Piece of Advice

I love to give advice. Love it.  There is something about passing on the truths that you have learned about life to others.  Maybe one reason I became a teacher...?  Lately, though, I've been trying to curb my advice-giving efforts, because as it turns out, some people find this practice of mine annoying.  I know - it shocked me, too.

But if you are reading this post, you must not be too annoyed, so here goes (I know the prompt is asking for a single piece of advice, but I'm milking this opportunity for all it's worth. You are getting TEN for the price of one.):

1. Travel overseas at least once in your early adult life. It will change the way you look at the world for the better.
2. Don't go overseas and start your first real-world job the day after you return. You will be too tired to make good decisions. So save yourself the hassle and go to bed instead.
3. Don't have children while your spouse is still in school. If you can avoid it, do. It's a huge HUGE pain.
4. Do not make promises you can't keep. Whether in the real world, in the classroom with students, or at home with kids, be ready to back up what you say you're going to do with actions.
5. Keep a "Feel Good Box" and open it up when you're feeling down. There is nothing like reading that encouragement when you really need it. Cards, emails, notes, anything tangible can go in the FGB. I wish there was a way to put a voicemail message in there, because I recently got one from Chelsea that I love, and I'm going to print this post from Lindsey and put it in mine. They make me happy.
6. Send your kids to public school.  Give them the experience of being with others their own age of diverse upbringings and being a positive influence on those lives.
7. And then GET INVOLVED! Don't sit on the sidelines pointing out what's wrong - jump in and help be part of the solution.
8. Invest in relationships, no matter how significant. I love this post from Chelsea on this topic.  SO good.
9. Be RIDICULOUSLY picky about whom you chose to marry. I mean RIDICULOUS when I say it. You will spend the rest of your life with this person. Don't get it wrong.
10. Give generously, even if you can't afford it. Malachi 3:10.