When I left for college, lots of friends and family wanted to share a piece of advice with me. Many of these people were adults who have already experienced college or peers who wished to encourage me. The advice that stuck with me the most is from the wise mind of my, then, 12-year-old brother, John-Clarke. Sometimes you have to talk to someone who hasn’t been warped by the world to help you understand the world and how to live in it. My brother gave me five pieces of advice:
1. Always have Nutella.
Always have something that you know will comfort you. Life is rough, so make sure you have something that you know will help you smooth the edges. Maybe it’s Nutella. Maybe it’s a family heirloom that is special to you. Whatever your “Nutella” is, it’s important.
2. Always have a friend with you (so you don’t get mugged or attacked by a troll in the girl's lavatory.)
Don’t think you can make it in this world completely alone. We all need help sometimes. As John Lennon remarks, “I’ll get by with a little help from my friends.
3. Always have a method of transportation (preferably Heelys).
Be able to GO places, and have a way to get there! Not just physical places, but emotional states and new mindsets. (Although I will say that I have been very blessed to have been able to travel so many places, and travel can do amazing things.) For my brother, his Heelies are how he “gets” to a place with new friends and self-confidence. He feels confident wearing them and uses them to make friends at his new school.
4. Just dance. It’ll be okay.
Just dance. It’ll be okay. Don’t take life too seriously all the time. Take a moment to have fun and LIVE. Yeah, I know it’s cliché to say, “dance like no one is watching,” but seriously. No one is watching, and even if they are, who cares? Maybe dancing isn’t your thing. That’s fine. Knit. Go to a shooting range. Take a walk in your neighborhood. Take a minute to take care of YOU and laugh every now and again.
And most importantly,
5. DON’T eat pears!
Number five is a bit strange for a piece of advice. Maybe he is saying to eat healthy? He’s actually quoting Doctor Who, one of our favorite shows. In the show, this line is an instruction to another character not to let the Doctor do something he wouldn't normally do in his right mind. (Long story.) The point is that the Doctor has someone to help him keep himself honest. Someone to keep him in check. Soon my brother will be turning 15, and soon he won’t be so little anymore. He’s still a little goofy, but that’s my brother, and I wouldn’t change him for the world. He’s a pretty great little brother, and he's got my back. Some may laugh at the childish humor in his advice, but I think there is some merit to it.
