Be yourself, no matter what they say.

Have you ever wondered why sometimes, you’re just too scared to do something a little bit radical? Ever wanted to challenge something a teacher tells you, but were afraid they wouldn’t like it? Have a crush on a girl/guy but don’t want to tell them because you’re afraid they’ll think you’re a creep? What about skipping class to go hang out with friends? Don’t expect me to believe you’ve never at least WANTED to do that.

Think for a second. What do you think was stopping you all those times? It was fear. Fear of what other people would think. Fear of the consequences. I feel you. I’ve been there, and I’ve done that. Veni, vidi, but not necessarily vicci.

I’ve been around for almost 18 years now, and in that relatively short time, I’ve learnt a lot of life lessons on my own. This one, however, I couldn’t have done without the weirdest, most amazing best friend ever. This article’s for Gautam. Cause he’s got da swag, yo. B-)

You really can't argue with that. So why even try.

I’ve always thought that you had to think anything you did over half a dozen times before you do it. “Thought before action is better than action before thought.” Or something like that. (I’m really bad at making up quotes. :P ) But you get my point, so yeah.

This summer, at GYLC, I had a very personal dilemma. It was one of those make-it-or-break-it kind of situations, and I really wasn’t sure whether risking my neck to do something was worth the possible embarrassment I would certainly be facing if it didn’t go as planned. And things in my life have this nasty habit of going as far away from the plan as it is humanely possible to get. And then going further.

Anyhow, I was procrastinating like nobody’s business; making up the most wild, wacky of excuses not to do aforementioned thing when I was given a pearl of wisdom I’m never going to forget.

Like that, except a little more useful.

“Dude. Seriously. What are you afraid of? Okay, stop for a second. Now tell me, what’s the worst that could happen? Worst case, you’ll [describe failure] and people will talk about it for a few days. And then what? They’ll forget, and everybody will go back to their lives. Maybe a couple of people will remind you about it later, but big deal! And if you succeed, then what? You’ll [describe success]. Don’t worry about failing. You can’t learn to run unless you know how to walk first. Just grow a pair and do it.”

I did it. That thing I was planning, I mean.

It was one of those days when everything works. I did what I had to do, and (surprise, surprise!) didn’t fail miserably at it!

What did I learn out of that? I learned not to be afraid of consequences. Never be scared of what MIGHT happen if you fail. Instead, think of what’ll happen if you don’t.

Yes, reader. Apply this anywhere and everywhere you can. Go ahead. Challenge your teacher. Tell that girl/guy how you feel. Skip class to chill - but only just this once. :P

“If manners maketh a man as someone says, then he’s the hero of the day. It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile. Be yourself, no matter what they say.”

                                                           - “Englishman in New York” -  Sting and The Police.