If I Could Offer You One Tip for the Future…

By Luci Farrell

If I Could Offer You One Tip for the Future…

I sit at my desk in the wee hours of the morning and wonder what words of wisdom to impart on you all. Naturally in my over caffeinated state I giggle thinking to impart the wisdom of the famous Wear Sunscreen speech. The problem with that is, however, that I truly despise that speech. For those who are unaware of what I am talking about I’ll explain. In June of 1997, Mary Schmich wrote an article entitled “Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young" for the Chicago Tribune. This column was her take on a commencement speech she would give if she were ever asked to present one. Now this speech is a wonderful look at embracing care for yourself and in many ways reminds me of some of my past blogs that I have written. However, like many things from the 90s the article was so over played that after hearing it three times one grows very sick of it. Much like going to a graduation party and having to hear “Graduation (Friends Forever)” by Vitamin C playing…and playing…and playing.

But, I digress…
The question is, what wisdom can I give you this week? What little bit of knowledge can I recycle? What are the quotes that you can hold on to that you don’t see plastered on your roommate’s wall or on inspirational posters in workplace break rooms. Of course, as I say this I notice a poster behind me. No it isn’t an inspirational poster, it’s a poster appreciating Murphy’s Law. Once again for those who aren’t aware Murphy’s Law states, "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong". Think of it when you think nothing else can go wrong and suddenly you find yourself in a downpour without an umbrella and five miles from your house.

Yet, Murphy has the right idea in some areas. Sometimes you have to appreciate the dark side of humor because it keeps you going. Here are a few to make you laugh.
“Never play leapfrog with a unicorn.”
“The light at the end of the tunnel is the headlamp of an oncoming train.”
“Anything good in life is either illegal, immoral, or fattening.”

Now, Murphy, Murphy darling dear, has a few points to make. Not that you should always look at the dark things, there’s nothing wrong with being an optimist. Being an optimist, however, is incredibly hard when everything around you is falling to pieces. So find the humor. Laugh it off. When you’re caught it the rain smile and turn your face up to the rain. Let Murphy know that you are ready to go round two. Robert Frost said it best, “In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: it goes on.” Yes, an inspirational quote that is both helpful and let’s you appreciate that things do go wrong.

So here we are and here is my speech to give.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Graduating Class of Whatever Applies,
If I could offer you one tip for the future, this would be it: Eat a cookie.
Laugh as you will, but a cookie will save you. When you panic and forget to eat or cry so much you have no strength to stand, eat a cookie. Your blood sugar is low and a cookie will save you.

My words are simple and not that deep. No I will not tell you to stay gold. Sorry Ponyboy, that isn’t the route this speech will take. I will not tell you to wear sunscreen and take perfect care of yourself. I, of all people, know what it means to make mistakes. The trick is to embrace them, even if they end in the loss of a friendship. Eat a cookie and then look at your life. Oatmeal, chocolate chip, sugar, or an Oreo; they will help put your life in perspective.

Pour a glass of milk between the tears and sobs. Sit down and eat a cookie. Enjoy it. Embrace the few minutes you have where the only thing to focus on is the taste of the delicious treat in your hand. You can feel overwhelmed again after. For now, just for this second, enjoy.

When you’re done splash your face with water and carry on. Let the extra bit of sugar perk you up. Face your challenges head on with crumbs on your shirt. Cue the soundtrack to your life and move forward.

Never deny yourself a cookie. Keep your wit in shape. Find the humor in every poor decision. Appreciate that in your story you may not have a fairy godmother or the perfect sidekick. Accept that you may not be a hero, but that most times it’s more fun to be the anti-hero. Embrace the fact you may be the villain of someone else’s story. Embrace the dark side because you do indeed have cookies.

So my dear graduates, accept the bad, but never settle for it. Wink at Murphy and take a bite of your cookie. That is my advice to you.

Keep Calm and Blog On
Luci

Luci Farrell is a senior from New Haven, CT. She is an Organizational Communication major with a minor in Anthropology. Luci is a Resident Peer Minister on campus and chair of the Honors Program Advisory Council at Saint Xavier University.