God bless my parents for raising me. Really, I was a hell of a person to deal with. I was irresponsible, irrational, and immature. But for some crazy reason my parents stuck around to handle me. I always used to think to myself, "what could my parents teach me that I already don't know?" but as I grew up it turned out my parents had some pretty helpful lessons for me.

1. Keep in mind who your real friends are.

There are plenty of people who will stick around for the good times. But it’s the friends who walk through hell with you that you should keep around.

2. Make mistakes.

Embrace them, learn from them and move on. That’s the only way you're ever going to learn and grow. Every person who has succeeded in their life has failed at some point. Use those failures as the building blocks to your success.

3. Just because everyone else is doing it does not mean you have to. Make your own path.

No, you don’t need that tattoo on your forearm. Yes sweetie, it is cute. But you hate needles, so why would you want one poking you a thousand times?

4. No one is ever worth your tears.

Don’t let some silly boy be the person who determines your happiness.

5. People grow up and they change.

The friends you had in middle school, high school, and freshman year won’t always be the friends you graduate with.

6. There are few people in life that you will truly call your best friend.

If you don’t have laughing fits every time you hang out, and if they can’t telekinetically understand you across the room, then that’s not your best friend.

7. Never apologize for your quirks. Love yourself.

If you love country music let it blare from your stereo while you drive to work, and don’t hide your Harry Potter collection you have stashed under your bed just because your roommate doesn’t get it.

8. Good fortune only comes to those who work hard.

Bad luck happens to lazy people. The computer failed on you right before you were supposed to submit your final paper? Maybe you shouldn’t have waited until the last minute to type it up.

9. Your first love is your most important.

Your first love may not be your last love. You will part ways and move on, you’ll share your heart with other people. But you will always carry that person in your heart.

10. Time doesn’t slow down. So don’t waste your life.

Travel the world, read all of the books and watch all the movies. Always choose to see the beauty in the world. Don’t be afraid to dance in the rain, to throw off your shoes and feel the grass between your toes, to gaze at the stars.