Be the last one to open your heart up, and the first one to close it shut.

We’ve talked about change, this is one of the main reason to always keep your guard up.  Whether it’s talking to a stranger, or talking to one of your closest friends, you never know what will happen.  I’m not saying that I will never open up to someone or let them in, but because of my experience, I’m usually the one people go to, not the one going to people.  I’ve had my fair share in pain, and I will always be the last person to expose myself to anymore pain.  For example one of my good friends has recently gotten hurt by a girl.  She went to a different school, but all the people there reassured him saying she's trustworthy and faithful.  He listened, opening himself and letting his guard down, but they were wrong, and he got badly hurt.  I told him that it was too early, but he wouldnt listen, insisting it was okay, he knows now never to let your guard down unless you have a very good reason.  Im not saying to be anti-social and never talk to anyone, just be weary of who you open up to.

A good friend can change your life

When I was in middle school, I was a want to be thug.  I won’t lie, I used to wear big clothes and talk like that and everything.  Nobody liked me, I was always trying to be cool, and always gave into peer pressure, until a friend came along.  Actually, multiple friends, they were extremely good influences on me, and I truly believe that they saved me and made me what I am today.  If I would have never met these people, (Kelly, James, and Danny) I would still be that same immature dependent kid I used to be, and I have no doubt that I’d have end up getting into illegal things and going to jail or getting hurt.  We all hold the power to save a life, I know, because mine was.

What’s gold doesn’t last

Change is imminent, things will never stay the same, and if I’ve learned anything in my short life, it’s that the good things will always be the first to leave.  I read the quote in a book my eighth grade year,  And it’s stuck with me ever since.  It’s one of the most true quotes I’ve ever read.  A story isn’t even needed, if there is any person in the world who hasn’t lost something good in their life from change, then God has blessed them and they might as well play the lottery.  Good friends change into worst enemies, good fortune into bad, and basically everything else in the world is changing constantly.  Not to say there isnt such thing as good changes, but either way, change will always come, you cant prevent it, and chances are, it won't be good.  What’s gold doesn’t last, so enjoy it while you can.

Treat girls with respect

This is a very important lesson, mostly because not many people do this.  It’s shocking to me how many guys out there are completely disrespectful to girls, like they’re trash.  When I was little, this was one of the lessons my dad drilled into me every single day, it doesn’t matter what they do to you, always treat a woman with respect.  Maybe its that mail programming that we’re supposed to protect females, I don’t know, but I will always for the rest of my life treat girls, no matter what kind, with utmost respect.  I feel that it has paid off, kind of like good karma, we get in return the pride of being one of the men in this world that respect woman and treat them like they should be treated, another lesson my Grandma Judy taught me, along with my father.

Don’t lie

I’ve been told my whole life never to lie, and that if you lied, you will have to make up more lies, and you’ll get caught eventually.  Of course I never listened because I was a kid and my parents don’t know anything, so I lied anyways.  Well, this one day, I burnt my brother with the lighter, and my dad and grandma Judy came out.  Knowing I wasn’t supposed to be playing with the lighter, I lied and said Jaden burned himself.  Well of course I had to make up more and more lies explaining the situation, and I thought it had all blown over.  Then, about 3 months later, all the lies had piled up, and my grandma had finally caught me, that stubborn ole’ bat never gave up, because she hates being lied to.  I’m glad for that experience though, because now I know never to lie, you’ll be in less trouble if you just tell the truth.