Lessons My Grandfather Taught Me
Or, Things I Think About in the Shower.
My grandfather was an incredibly stubborn man. Very closed-minded, stick-to-your-guns, "I'm the man of the house" kind of guy. Being raised by him and being the stubborn woman that *I* am, this was always a source of great frustration for me. He was impossible to have a discussion with. Any discussion inevitably turned into a lecture, wherein I was always the receiving party. Eventually, I learned to sit quietly and try not to fall asleep in order to expedite the ramblings and go on about my day.
However, as I've gotten older (and slightly less ruled by my raging hormones and red-headed temper), I've realized: some things are worth sticking to your guns about. Yes, even in the face of overwhelming facts which should tell you otherwise.
Does this sound ignorant? Maybe, but hear me out. Anyone can come along and sway you of an opinion. Most people belive in something, and can cite multiple "facts" to back up their belief. If they didn't have a reason, they wouldn't believe in it. However, there are always just as many people who can cite "facts" for the exact opposite view. If everyone has beliefs and facts to back them up, how can one know anything with absolutely certainty?
Well, you can't. Something my grandfather would never admit, but is true. It's hard to know something, or anything, with absolutely certainty. But wandering through life always being unsure of everything seems... almost like a cop-out. It's the easy way out: to never be sure, or passionate, or really BELIEVE, in anything.
So my random bit of advice today is: be pig-headed. Find something to believe in, and believe in it fully. Without regard. Hold on to it. Be passionate. Just know.