Choose your words

Words matter. That old elementary school saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?" Yeah, that's not true. Words matter more than we like to think they do. As a hopeful journalist/writer, I think about words a lot. Most people probably don't. It's why we blunder our way into misunderstandings, hurting our loved ones. With all the thousands of words, it seems we often use the ones that cause the most damage and pain.
While our words cause much pain and hurt, they also can bring joy. How often do the words to a song make your face light up? I don't think I last a day without that happening. For all the damage that can come from our tongues, so much happiness can also be brought, when you take the time to think about what you are saying. No matter how much trouble words cause, they also provide the means to fix our broken promises, hateful calls and sarcastic comments. I believe there is no hurt that a sincere "I love you" cannot remedy. Words always matter. Whether it is a simple take-out order or a serious statement, choosing words wisely makes a difference.

Get it together

So, we've all heard that college is for finding yourself and figuring out what you want to do, but the minute you step into classes, everyone wants to know your life plan. They expect you to have it all together and know where you're going--even though you've never had a real job and no real life experiences. Instead of having four years to figure out your life, you have the five seconds it takes to comprehend what your professor is asking. On tonight's Gossip Girl, Serena tells Lily she is post-poning college to "discover" herself. Lily tells her to look around: no one really knows themselves. So, why does everyone assume that because you are in college and have a major, you have it all together. I don't. I know quite a few people who don't. Anyone who says they have everything together are liars. No matter how many plans you make, nothing ever turns out the way you expect it to. Robert Burns understood that. Why can't professors?