From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
MAKING MEMORIES.
When friends and family try to 'protect you from yourself' have you noticed your self esteem plummets? They give you advice about what you should do this time and remind you of the mistakes you have made at least 400 times before. They do this because they love you and don't want you to be hurt again. They have the best intentions. Which makes you feel more guitly if you resent them saying it.
One of the most popular areas for people to give you advice is relationships. How many times have you been told to slow down, take it easy, don't rush, be cool? And this is in fact pretty good advice. Unless 700 people say it to you over the period of a week. This means you are either about to go into a steep learning curve of what doesn't work again; or people have the wrong idea of you; or you should really heed their advice and slow down!
So then you think , well maybe they are right. Maybe I do have to slow down, be cool , play games.
Hang it! That's what I say. Who, in their last breath, as they leave this planet, utters the immortal words " I wish I hadn't done that!". NO! They gasp "I wish I had done that!"
As I was discussing this point with friends last week, Jennifer told me about her grandmother who said "life is short - make memories". What a great saying. Think about it - what do you remember in life?
Dull , boring routine moments? Or exciting ones? New experiences? Unusual moments? How can we make more memories out of life? If we stay in a protected cocoon all our lives , peeping out to see whats happening outside and quickly withdrawing again if something different comes our way then our spirit dies. Exciting things keep us excited and enthusiastic. Some routine is healthy, too much stunts your energy, vitality and zest for living.
Anyway , what's the point of living each moment five years ahead? I say, get in there and really enjoy the moment. Make it special, memorable and exciting. So what if you stumble, your heart hurts a bit (or gets battered to a pulp) - I bet you learned something! And you'll have a more exciting story to tell than someone who played it safe all the time. And you may have less regrets.
Some risk is good for you - be sensible with the size of the risks - but at least look at them. What do we risk if we become vulnerable to someone that seems to love us? Or care? I think the risk is in making sure they do care - or love you. And it seems only time shows the permanence of our feelings. Maybe while you both feel strongly about each other you should 'go for it'. seize the moments and create memories - so what if it doesn't work out forever
Being noticed is not a bad thing!
