‘Being Brilliant’ Part 1 – A Great Gift

Hi everyone! Sorry for a late post 😦 Today, I am going to be doing the first post in my new ‘Being Brilliant’ series, inspired by the book The Art of Being a Brilliant Teenager. If you’d like more information on the series then please feel free to check out the ‘Being Brilliant’ – Introduction that I did in my last post. Now let’s get started!

So, I want to start the series off by talking about… well, life in general. And how it’s a valuable gift that most people throw away.

It’s quite a deep message. It takes willpower to understand it. But… it’s true.

Your parents gave you the gift of life. You are so lucky to be alive. But most of the time we never realize it.

I don’t know about you, but the list of things I take for granted goes on forever. In The Art of Being a Brilliant Teenager it asks you to list 10 things you love but take for granted. Here’s my list:

1. A home. Not everyone is lucky enough to have somewhere to stay at night – they have to sleep rough. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have to sleep outside in the cold, the rain, the sleet and the snow.
2. A family. I’m so grateful for my family, they have taught me more than any teacher ever will. All they want is for me to have a good life (and that’s what drives me to do well in school, and in extracurricular activities. I want to show them I’m not wasting my time).
3. An education. School is a fantastic opportunity, and although at times I just want to go back to bed, it’s preparing me for later life. I want to go to university – it’s my biggest ambition. So school is the key to my success.
4. A functioning body. Sounds a little weird at first, right? But if you think about it, I’m happy to be whole. I know so many people who have seriously injured themselves, who are in wheelchairs, or who can’t play sports again because of something like a concussion. However it’s really good they can still live a normal life despite a past tragedy.
5. Friends. Over the past year my friendship groups have gone mad. Because of the transition to secondary school, I lost almost all of my old friends, who have now become ‘cool’ and left me behind. Luckily I have made some new friends, who embrace me for who I am. And there’s a few people who, throughout everything, have stayed by me. When we were younger we all hated each other. Now we’re like sisters. I’m so appreciative of all my friends, they’re the cabin crew to my aeroplane ❤
6. A plentiful supply of food and clean water. People die from starvation or thirst every day. I’m really lucky to not only have food, but to have a choice of food. Not to mention access to clean, pure water wherever I am.
7. Access to the online world. Nowadays so much of my life revolves around the internet, and social media. I’m lucky to have a laptop. I’m lucky to have a phone. I’m lucky to have access to Instagram, YouTube, WikiHow (one of the best sites ever), Pinterest, Gmail, and more.
8. A selection of after-school/out-of-school activities to participate in. I love sports, and I especially love music. I’m really grateful to be at a school that offers clubs after school or at lunch time, like netball and choir. I’m extra grateful to live in a town that has opportunities and activities like dancing, piano, golf and Girl Guides. All of these things have given me extra opportunties, from being in concerts, to volunteering at coffee afternoons, to playing in competitions.
9. Pets. I’m lucky enough to have two adorable guinea pigs, and a few goldfish as well. They provide company when I feel lonely, cheer me up when I feel sad, and keep me busy when I feel bored. Honestly, I feel guilty that I don’t help out enough. After all, they belong to me. So why am I not the one cleaning out their enclosures or bathing them…?
10. A brilliant life. The biggest one of all. Life is a short, valuable and precious gift. I love life. I love my family, and my friends. I love what I have. I love who I am, despite my flaws and imperfections.

In the end, life’s just too short to waste time on hate, spite or revenge. Love everyone and everything, and most importantly – love yourself.

Life is what we make it. So if you throw yourself into everything, be nice to everyone, help people (this makes you feel good about yourself too!), and altogether have a good time, then your life will be a cruise. (It works the other way too. If you moan about the simplest things, never try anything new, bully people, grump at the ones who care about you, and in general be miserable, then your life will be a mess.)

Treat people with respect. Take opportunities. Share. Care. Be kind. Be understanding. And never judge a book by its cover.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope to get the second post in the series out soon.

Incomplete Thinker xx