...because "good" advice is necessarily 'safe' advice, and though it will undoubtedly follow a sane pattern, it will very likely lead one into total sterility - on of the crushing problems of our time.
- Jules Feiffer
I love this rule and for those of you who know me, know exactly why i love this rule and you're probably rolling your eyes at me right now too. Okay, focus those eyes and hear me out. I have the most wonderful family and friends who are constantly looking out for me. They have all given such good advice and I always listen very tentatively to what they say, but nine times out of ten I'll end up doing the opposite or else something completely different. For example, when I decided I was actually in the wrong career and made the decision to study again and start over, everyone was happy for me and incredibly supportive. So began the process of studying but after a year and a bit I became a little bored, for lack of a better word, and needed a break. All my nearest and dearest advised against it and encouraged me to keep on going. Makes sense right? So I took a break. A long break. A five year break actually.
I'm about to start my final year of studying and the subtle "i told you so's" are starting to surface (coming from a good place obviously) and in the big picture I kinda wish I had just finished but on the flip side had i taken that advice I wouldn't have moved to Spain, taken up Spanish, worked on a cruise ship, juggled four jobs at once and worked at Elle magazine. Was it worth it? TOTALLY! Yes, the older I get the harder it is to retain the information. Yes, if I'd finished years ago I could be teaching anywhere in the world by now but I stand by the decision I made.
Another classic bit of good advice I received was "He's a great guy, just not for you". In hindsight, not good advice but great advice. Again, if not him it would have been someone else equally not right for me and my lesson would still be out there to learn. Did I wish I'd taken their advice? Probably. But now I know what I'm not looking for and how I don't want to be treated and I also know what it feels like to love with every cell in your body, to completely and unconditionally love.
I will without a doubt continue to seek advice but I will always end up going with my gut.
- Jules Feiffer
I love this rule and for those of you who know me, know exactly why i love this rule and you're probably rolling your eyes at me right now too. Okay, focus those eyes and hear me out. I have the most wonderful family and friends who are constantly looking out for me. They have all given such good advice and I always listen very tentatively to what they say, but nine times out of ten I'll end up doing the opposite or else something completely different. For example, when I decided I was actually in the wrong career and made the decision to study again and start over, everyone was happy for me and incredibly supportive. So began the process of studying but after a year and a bit I became a little bored, for lack of a better word, and needed a break. All my nearest and dearest advised against it and encouraged me to keep on going. Makes sense right? So I took a break. A long break. A five year break actually.
I'm about to start my final year of studying and the subtle "i told you so's" are starting to surface (coming from a good place obviously) and in the big picture I kinda wish I had just finished but on the flip side had i taken that advice I wouldn't have moved to Spain, taken up Spanish, worked on a cruise ship, juggled four jobs at once and worked at Elle magazine. Was it worth it? TOTALLY! Yes, the older I get the harder it is to retain the information. Yes, if I'd finished years ago I could be teaching anywhere in the world by now but I stand by the decision I made.Another classic bit of good advice I received was "He's a great guy, just not for you". In hindsight, not good advice but great advice. Again, if not him it would have been someone else equally not right for me and my lesson would still be out there to learn. Did I wish I'd taken their advice? Probably. But now I know what I'm not looking for and how I don't want to be treated and I also know what it feels like to love with every cell in your body, to completely and unconditionally love.
I will without a doubt continue to seek advice but I will always end up going with my gut.
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