Rest in Pieces

If I had one wish, I'd make the novel Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom compulsory in the English curriculum. It may not be instant world peace, but it would be the most human way of achieving it. At least then, we'd have something to be proud of.

That way, students would have a choice in discovering the meaning of life. They wouldn't be forced into being better people, the same way no one is forced to listen at assembly – God knows I don't. There would be more good-hearted folks and less people living for material satisfaction.

I'd like to share two things I learnt from the awe-inspiring book (or movie for you couch potatoes!):

"Forgive everyone, everything. Now. Before it's too late"

Experiencing some friendship dramas lately, the quote above really got to me. Would my friends die happy, taking this grudge to the grave? I believe that if it's not worth weighing you down when you're already six feet under, it's DEFINITELY not worth carrying around while you're alive.

Assuming that one of my friends are in the right, matters not. What does matter, right here, right now, is their inability to forgive – placing them BOTH in the wrong.

Forgive and forget. Forget until you don't remember what you're supposed to be forgiving anymore. If you hold on to too many bad memories, you won't have room to store the good.

But if it just so happens that a reconciliation is wishful thinking, it goes to show that true friendship is a process of elimination. Using Darwin's theory of natural selection as a case in point – friends that are fit enough to survive your trials and tribulations, are the ones that will be there forever.

Just think of all the contacts on your MSN list, all your 'friends' on MySpace, the affiliations you see when you're out shopping. If you were to die tonight, how many can you guarantee will be crying next to your deathbed? I bet it's less than all one hundred and fifty something-something-or-other.

"Death ends a life, not a relationship"

True friends are the ones that will visit your grave, and continue to tell you their problems even when you're not there to shake your head and say "Man, I told you so!"

Popularity is a game we play during our childhood. It's just that some people never grow out of it.

And I've got some friends
some that I hardly know
But we've had some times
I wouldn't trade for the world
-Swing Life Away, Rise Against

Secondly, how do you want to be remembered when you die? Think about it every morning before you start your day, because you may not wake to see the next.

"As soon as you know how to die, you know how to live"

Do you want to be remembered as the attention seeker? The user? The liar? The slut? They're just as bad as being remembered for being pretty or always having nice clothes. The only people who wouldn't think it so bad are the sadly superficial.

Be remembered as the girl who radiated what it means to be a good person. Friendly. Giving. Down to earth. Loyal. Optimistic… the list goes on.

THOU SHALL NOT BE A BITCH
even if just for a day, because it might be your last.