Hopscotch - Game 1

15 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was 15

Written and illustrated by Paul R. Wind, age 22



Educate Yourself

You MUST have a high school diploma.

This is important.

Before going to college, think about what you want to do before you spend unspeakable amounts of money on your education. If you need time to decide -- take it.

Although diplomas are great, they do not define a person. Some of the smartest people I have ever met have been college dropouts. Some of the dumbest people I have ever met have been graduate students. Education is important, but do not ever believe that someone’s education makes them better than you.


Rock the Vote

You may be too young to vote, but BE AWARE of the fact that someday, your opinion will change the political world.

Be active in your community. Join a club. Take an interest in what kind of affect the government will have on your life. Do NOT just go with the flow.


Mirrors Lie

Doesn’t it seem a little bit suspect that people think a flipped image of themselves is an actual reflection of who they are? A mirror can only tell you what you look like on the outside. In the long run, that is not NEARLY as important as the things that will never be reflected in a mirror.

My advice is to just avoid them altogether.


Time Really DOES Heal All Wounds

It sounds cliché, but this is the truth.

Time will pass. Things will be different. In the long run, the NOW is not important. When you get older, you will look back on yourself at fifteen, and realize that there was no reason to worry.


Family Matters

Your family, and especially your parents, are the most valuable resources that you have. Work with them. They have your best interest in mind.

Treasure them, because at some point, even if it does not seem like it now, they are going to be far more precious than you can ever imagine.


Keep the Old

Someone once said, "Do not judge a friendship based on how sorry your friend feels for you when you’re down -- judge it based on how proud of you they are when you succeed."

As you get older, you are going to get farther and farther away from your friends. Keep in touch with them. This is important.


There is a Big World Outside of Your Home

It is your responsibility to keep it nice. Your parents work to make sure you have a safe, clean world to live in. Return the favor to your own children. Recycling is good.

Do not buy the trendy new toy just because it is new and shiny. When you throw it away, it becomes more trash.


Listen to the World

You will learn SO much more if you close your mouth and open your ears. This is the smartest thing you can possibly learn how to do.

A great way to accomplish this is to travel as much as you can -- and listen to everyone you meet.


Collect Spare Change

It adds up.

The change in your pocket does not seem like much now, but it will someday. Keep your money for when you really need it.

If you don’t already have one, get a savings account.


Do Not Smoke - Ever

Yes, you have heard this before.

Smoking cigarettes is one of the dumbest, most self-destructive things you can possibly do to yourself. It will make your skin greasy, turn your teeth yellow, make it hard for you to run long distances, make you smell awful, and make you sick. There is nothing appealing about smoking. Do not do it. This is very important.


Drink More Water

Water is the best thing you can put in your body. I promise that if you drink more water every day, you will feel better.


Please... Read

This is key. Read anything you can get your hands on. Read books. Read magazines. Read newspapers. Read comics. Just read.

Absorb knowledge. When you are older, you will wish you spent more time reading and less time watching television.


Play that Funky Music

Learn to play a musical instrument. This will make your life better - I promise.

One of the greatest pleasures in the world is listening to music. One of the few pleasures greater is the ability to create it. Try it and you'll soon find out why.


Test the Water

Do not be scared to try something just because you are worried about the negative consequences. If you try something and do not like it, you do not have to do it again. But at least you can say you tried it.

There are some things in life that you should be worried about, but do not ever let them stop you from achieving your goals.


Learn a Foreign Language

The ability to communicate through a language barrier is a great skill. The world is getting smaller, and languages are colliding. If you can speak another language, you have just doubled your effectiveness in society.

A Note To Readers:

If this text comes off as preachy, then it might not be the right book for you. If it seems even remotely helpful, keep it. Everyone is different, and everyone will follow their own path.

I am simply suggesting some possible choices to make that would have personally made my life better. Whether you choose to heed or ignore this advice is your own decision.