As a writer, I’m always reading articles on current events or simple opinion pieces such as the one being discussed today. More often than not, I come across pieces that I don’t entirely agree with. I build up all these arguments inside my head and get into a really heated debate with myself, then I remember, I have a blog. So here I am, laying out my thoughts on the article “A Harsh But Honest Take On 45 Bad Pieces Of Advice From Your Childhood” by Lauren Martin on Elite Daily. Often I find many articles that I completely agree with and could not have phrased better myself on Elite Daily, other times I find myself dumbfoundedly shaking my head at an article.
Although there are 45 points discussed in this original article, I’m not going to discuss each and every one of them (probably because it would end up being 2,000 words and no one would read it). I’ve picked out three points that I disagree with the most from this article, and am presenting my views on why the original article is taken from a much too cynical, pessimistic view. Being a teenager still, I can’t say that I’ve experienced all life has to offer, and maybe my opinions are clouded by my optimism glasses. With respect to that, I am a part of Generation Y, which Elite Daily claims to be “the voice of”, so I do get my say in this.
29. The grass is always greener… Unless you live in the desert.
First of all, the rest of this quote is “…on the other side.” This quote is taken to mean that an individual in a desperate situation, looking at another person’s life, will feel that the other person has it so much better. But things aren’t always what they seem, everyone has their own issues they’re dealing with and you never know just how easy or how hard someone else has it. Even in the literal sense, this author didn’t get her facts straight. There is grass in the desert, look for yourself. Also, even if you live in the desert, on the other side of that desert there will still be grass.
30. Honesty is the best policy… Until lying works.
Years of multiple choice exams have taught me the obvious problem with this one. The piece of advise states that honesty is the best policy. Yes, lying may work out for you, but it’s not necessarily the best option. If I were to ask which one of these is a liquid: water, honey, yogurt, or peanut butter, sure you can argue that honey is a liquid, but it’s not the best option. Lying can get you places, but depending on the lie it will only bring guilt or regret (which number 5 so cleverly points out will only bring bad memories). Being told that your broken window was fixed, then finding out it was only covered with duct tape is not a nice feeling. Sure duct tape works for most things, but the best option would be to get a new window. Honesty is always the best policy (use with discretion).
34. Better late than never… Don’t come if you’re gonna be an hour late, it’s rude.
While showing up somewhere late is rude, not showing up at all is even more insensitive. Say your friend is in the hospital and you promise you’ll visit that day. Something comes up or you just forget, bouncing back to the previous statement, just tell them your situation. If you’re eloquent and apologetic in your delivery, they’ll understand. What your friend will care about is the fact that you showed up to visit them. Everyone has busy schedules, especially so in these times. Unless it’s of vital importance, being late for something won’t matter if you pull through in the end. Going with the “never” option is admitting defeat and is a sign that you’ve given up, that you shouldn’t be relied on. Those who are trustworthy will pull through no matter how embarrassing it might be for them, or if the time has passed and what needed to be done doesn’t matter anymore.
I realize that what I’ve said can also be contradicted depending on the situation, but that’s life. Although, to approach everything in life with a pessimistic point of view doesn’t make you a realist (it makes you a pessimist). Whether or not the original article was made for humor, it wasn’t appropriate to try and take things that we learned as kids and try to shatter them in an attempt to wake up the younger generations and accept the harsh realities of life. Youth need hope and encouragement, that’s what brings about innovation and progress. If every young person sat around and thought “I can’t trust anyone,” “I’m all alone,” “the world sucks,” there would be no more future (which number 23 dares to promise).