Q: What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?

[Gena A. Etheridge-Seltzer]

(My personal reflection):
For me, I think it was when my Dad told me and my brothers at an early age to "always stand up for what we believe in".

Both Mom and Dad have always encouraged us to remain true to ourselves. As we grew up, those words were often reinforced, and continue to follow us on our journey through life.

Please share your own answers and reflections with us here...

[Blindogg]

The first one that comes to mind was actually not given to me personally - I took it from a chinese proverb...

"It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness"

[Gena A. Etheridge-Seltzer]

Oh, that's a good one Blindogg. Thanks for sharing it! I've seen that one before but had forgotten it. Now...where are those darned matches?!....

Blindogg said:

The first one that comes to mind was actually not given to me personally - I took it from a chinese proverb...

"It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness"

[Jon Lopes]

"Adapt and overcome, use the tools you have available to you. The ability to compromise and improvise along with a positive attitude will carry you where you need to go. And always take responsibility for your actions, Most impotrantly C.Y.A, Cover Your Ass." My uncle

[Gena A. Etheridge-Seltzer]

Jon,
Your uncle was of "profound intelligence"! Well-stated, and very true. Thanks for the advice...

Jon Lopes said:

"Adapt and overcome, use the tools you have available to you. The ability to compromise and improvise along with a positive attitude will carry you where you need to go. And always take responsibility for your actions, Most impotrantly C.Y.A, Cover Your Ass." My uncle

[James Waters AKA. NineSpeed]

Be who you are. A very good friend of mine told me that. He and I talk about this regularly, especially after watching the younger generation these days. Young white and Hispanic kids acting like their black. No offense to black people intended. I just don't understand why we can't act like the people we are.

[Rianna]

There are a few reasons for "why we can't act like the people we are."

First of all, in the case of young kids, they are still trying to find out who they are. In search of the answer, they mimic trends and friends. Although some never escape the mimic stage, there are many who do eventually find out who they truly are inside, and steer away from the trends and from what their friends are doing.

Secondly, how can we act like who we are when everyone in society is telling us we can't? Being "yourself" takes more courage and strength than anything, and the risks seem often too great than most of us are willing to handle.

James Waters AKA. NineSpeed said:

Be who you are. A very good friend of mine told me that. He and I talk about this regularly, especially after watching the younger generation these days. Young white and Hispanic kids acting like their black. No offense to black people intended. I just don't understand why we can't act like the people we are.

[Rianna]

I have received so much advice in my long life, that to pick the best one is quite probably impossible to do. However, some that stick out most of all:

The first was from a poem, and was very dear to me and my roommates in the state hospital for depression:
"It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul."
William Ernest Henley, Invictus

Others include: "Don't take anything said to you or about you personally;" "Live and love as though today is your last day;" "Tell those you care about how you feel, and tell them often. You may never get another chance."

I could probably come up with a few paragraphs on the great advice (which I often forget to follow) I've been given, but I'll stop with these for now.

[Robert Bird]

Interesting... I have received so much advice from so many people that it is hard to judge which was the best.
A lot of the advice I received was "You stupid _______." Pick your own word, I have received them all.
Only a few have really impressed me, like in the Navy... most everyone said: "Never volunteer." To me that was good advice...I never volunteer unless I get paid for it... hmmm...I guess that really is not good advice.
Like you, Gena, I always remembered the advice that my Father gave me when I left for the Navy... "Don't take any Wooden Nickels." Unfortunately, early in life I did take Wooden Nickels, but when I found that they don't spend well, I begin to understand his advice. That's why I find it so hard to take advice from anyone. Guess that makes me hard headed.

[Jim Lindsey]

My dad told me to never loan money to someone , just so they could play poker against me.
Jim

[d g thompson]

"Never play cards with a guy named after a city, never get less than twelve hours of sleep, and never tuck your shirt into your underwear." That all may have come frm Teenwolf.

[Gena A. Etheridge-Seltzer]

KAWFEEEE!,
I'm chuckling at your comment because there is so much truth in it (LOL)! Thanks for your contribution. ;-)

KAWFEEEE! said:

best piece of advice? hmmm. "Never take anyone's advice."

[Gena A. Etheridge-Seltzer]

Rianna,
Thanks for bringing a tear to my eye, and a gentle smile on my face. The quote you shared by William Ernest Henley has special meaning for me now, and especially upon returning from a week at The Outer Banks in search of 'me'. There's much truth to what you shared in your complete post. Though, in sharing Henley's reference to being 'captain of my soul', it was truly magical for me to be standing in observance of the moolight over the ocean...casting it's gentle glow and guiding my path in the darkness. Literally speaking, I became unaware that darkness had fell so quickly behind me...somehow entranced by the moon and all it's power over me; it guided my path back through and over the high dunes that blocked my view of the highway (and reality). It continued to follow me as I traveled the desolate stretch along Hwy 12. I smiled as I glanced up at it a few times through my sunroof, as if I knew it was following me to make sure I was on my way safely...much like a good friend.

There's nothing like Winter on The Banks here in NC, and no feeling in the world like meandering through Maritime Forests, stolling down nature trails, and hanging out with wildlife--of the feathered-kind--to soothe the Soul. I plan to return there in February, if only for a day trip before the tourists migrate there for the coming Spring and Summer.

Rianna said:

I have received so much advice in my long life, that to pick the best one is quite probably impossible to do. However, some that stick out most of all:

The first was from a poem, and was very dear to me and my roommates in the state hospital for depression:
"It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul."
William Ernest Henley, Invictus

Others include: "Don't take anything said to you or about you personally;" "Live and love as though today is your last day;" "Tell those you care about how you feel, and tell them often. You may never get another chance."

I could probably come up with a few paragraphs on the great advice (which I often forget to follow) I've been given, but I'll stop with these for now.