Kathy got me thinking.....

If you could go back in time.. and sit down with your 18 year old self... what would you say to her/him ? What's the one thing you have regrets about that you could advise your younger self about ??

Boys are stupid. Eat right, exercise and quit drinking so darn much. Go to a school much closer to home so the tuition/living expenses won't be more than you can afford.

I actually addressed this about a year ago in my online journal (I hate the word "blog!")... and it felt good to think about it! Here's what I wrote: "I'd go back and tell 16-year-old Dawn that she doesn't have to "have a boyfriend" to be happy. I'd tell her to finish college and get her nursing degree. I'd tell her, for future reference, that perms are not her friend. I'd tell her to eat right and exercise. But I'd tell her she's NOT FAT. I'd tell her to stop worrying what other people think about her. And I'd tell her that life never stays bad, things always get better ... and the bad stuff happens for a reason. It makes you stronger and wiser." I'd tell my 18-year-old self the same thing. Only I'd add that, at 18, she was FAR too young to be wearing an engagement ring. Dawn

Great idea! I would tell myself I have choices. I don't have to be married..I could go to college. I would tell myself I can do anything I set my mind to. I would tell myself to get a degree. I would tell myself to eat better and do lots of exercise. Boy I wish someone would have told me all these things when I was 18!! hugs, Teresa

Wow Stephanie! Lets see.... I would tell myself that it is important to get a 4 year degree and not settle for my 2 yr one! It would be so much easier to get it then and not wait. Don't get married so young ( I don't regret getting married , just wish we would have waited a bit). Travel!!!! DO NOT get your tubes tied after Samantha!!!!!!!! Do not get a credit card!!!!!!!! I am sure there are other things that I would change if I could, but I think these are the big one for me!!! Melissa

Kathy said it best. Stay away from boys. And if you meet a wonderful man and fall in love and want to get married and have babies.....FINISH COLLEGE FIRST. Its much easier when college is your only job. Mary

I guess I should add my advise to this as well.. Here goes: First thing I would do would be to walk up to my 18 year old self.. and knock that chip right off my shoulder... Then once I had my own attention.. I would tell myself 1. The world doesnt owe you anything just because you were raised without a mother. Stop using that to make people feel sorry for you.. and being daddy's spoild rotten little girl doesn't mean squat in the business world.. 2. Stop being so concerned with what your friends from highschool think about you. Trust me.. once you leave highschool.. you'll only see 3 of these people within the next 25 years... 3. Men will come and go in your life.. but a TRUE GIRL FRIEND is forever. No man is worth splitting up a good "girl" friendship over. 4. Finish college BEFORE you get married. Your life will be so much easier if you do. 5. Your stronger then you've ever given yourself credit for.. 6. Is it always so important that you get the last slice of pizza?

1. That college was an option. 2. That my mother did know something (and I should have listened) 3. That 18 doesn't last forever!!! 4. It's not all about the party 5. Don't spend more than you make. 6. A broken heart heals. 7. Life and my future is what I make it. 8. To live for my expectations of myself not someone elses. Maybe I should let my 18 yr old daughter, Samantha, read these. She really needs to see #2 over and over again. Colleen

This is an excellent post. I dont know though. It really does get me to think a lot. In some ways..... I think I should have put a lot more into my education. I should have tried a lot harder in school definately. But.... and here goes..... the BIG BUT.... lololol (big butt) If I had done anything differently.... would I be where I was "supposed" to be? Isnt this the journey I am supposed to be making? Isnt this the place I am supposed to be at. I struggle with these thoughts. I wonder at times like these when I am feeling so stressed.... I am fighting with insurance for plastics (just got turned down yesterday) I have no $$, so i now need to figure out finances.... and I think... if only I had stuck with so and so (a certain guy... with $$) but then again... I would have been compromising. Oh I dont know? Also.... I Really want to move down to SC.... and I think... maybe my "destiny" and my true love of my life is down there..... lol. who knows? Maybe???? sooooooo. Oh....I just have to meet you all, so you can place my words with my face and get to know me... (and then you can make fun of my accent...boston) lol big hugs!!

First thing I would do is set myself down and say . . . calm down! you've got your whole life ahead of you! 1. You don't have do what other people want you to do. Find out what YOU want and go for it. 2. FINISH College! Even if you have to work 3 jobs, do it! 3. Don't ever, ever get a credit card., Don't ever spend more than you earn, and always save at least 10% of every paycheck. 4. Relax about the boyfriend thing. God is in control and if you trust Him, things will happen just at the right time. You don't need a guy to "complete" you. 5. Take a chance! Don't play it safe ALL of the time. Step outside of your comfort zone. 6. You are beautiful on the inside and out! Take care of yourself and exercise! Find something you enjoy doing outside and do it often. 7. If you want a friend, be a friend. If you see someone in need, help them, and always leave a person feeling better than before. 8. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all, just pray for the right thing to say.