Life. We have jobs, school, relationships and so much more to juggle on a day by day basis. The thing is, if you look closely, you can find small nuggets of wisdom on how to deal with life in the simplest of places - even a comic strip. So here are some life lessons from none other than Calvin and Hobbes.
You have your whole life to grow up! Don't try to get there too fast.
Growing up, that's all we wanted to do - grow up! After all, that meant exciting things like driving, staying out late, and making your own money to spend as you choose. Unfortunately, that also means car payments, insurance, and actually having to work. Listen to Calvin, don't forget to enjoy your childhood and young adult years because you'll have the rest of your life to be mature.
Have some imagination!
As Calvin and Hobbes - or rather, Spaceman Spiff and his valiant Tiger comrade - showed us, a cardboard box is a beautiful thing. The only downfall is that the cardboard is powered by the vivid imagery and wacky concoctions of the imagination. So, whether you zoom through the atmosphere and explore outer space, time travel back to prehistoric times to ride a dinosaur, or just end up sitting in a cardboard box, is up to you.
Life can and will, inevitably, be difficult at times.
Although Calvin is having his own personal pity party in this comic, what he's saying goes deeper. Life is tough; the world runs rampant with disease, famine, weather catastrophes, and I'm sure you could fill in 100 more blanks on the issue. We shouldn't be caught off guard when life slaps you in the face with thirty-pound dumbbell. Life happens. Since we know life will seem unbearably tragic at times, it allows us to look forward to and cherish the moments of hope we find.
Make the best of a situation.
Take a cue from Calvin: Pick yourself back up, laugh at your mistakes, and don't get caught up wishing things were different.
Sometimes you gotta take a little risk!
Life is too short not to take calculated risks now and again. Sure, rock climbing could be dangerous but so is the risk of cardiovascular disease from sitting around. Yes, a lot of outdoor sports have the potential to cause bodily harm, but if the alternative is always being cautious and playing it safe, I'm willing to take that risk.
Don't overthink things.
Sometimes, we look at a situation for so long that we begin to manipulate the facts; twisting what should be black and white into a kaleidoscope of incomprehension. That's not to say that certain events don't deserve a second look, but tricking yourself into believing your mental fabrications can be harmful to you as well as others
Just be yourself, don't try to please everyone.
People pleasing gets you no where. Trust me, been there, done that.
Find your person.
We've all got that one pal or group of friends that is our go to. You bare your heart to them and they carry you through whatever you must endure. It's pretty amazing to see how simply the presence and comfort of your best friend can make life seem a little less intimidating, if not comical.
And...GET OUT AND EXPLORE - the world is just too darn amazing not to!
Do it, just do it.
Who knew a little cartoon of a boy and his best pal tiger had so much to say.
