Please watch the
following video, and answer the questions below:
If you could make a video as a message to your past self, what would you
say? What would be the main theme of your video, the main message? (such as: wear sunscreen.) What approach would you take with yourself? Would
you tell yourself the advice in a straight-forward way, or would your past self
take some convincing? What kind of visuals would you use? What would be some
minor themes to support your major theme?
Try to keep your responses to approximately 200 words. Take your time to
think about the answers.
Answer the initial prompt by Wednesday, September 25th, midnight. Respond to a
classmate by Friday, September 27th, midnight.
Response: Ask your classmate a question about his/her post. The question
should continue
to be respectful, and should provoke your classmate to think more deeply about
the message s/he is sending to him/herself.
If I were to make a video to send to my younger self, I would emphasize the importance of getting good grades in high school. I would outline the fact that getting good grades keeps options open for the future, even if I didn't think I wanted to be a doctor back then. I would probably be pretty straight forward about this because it would be the most effective way to relay the point
ReplyDeleteHey I liked your response to this blog. I so wish I would have done the same because high school is so important and I dropped out. Do you think it would be hard to convince your past self? Do you feel like you would be achieving more if you had made better grades in high school?
DeleteI think that a ton of people can relate to this subject. I know I can. So, how would you present this as far as images and narration to yourself?
DeleteI think it would actually be relatively easy to convince my past self. In the video, I would show friends of mine who did well in high school getting scholarships that help out so much. In contrast, I could show myself with no scholarships and having to work full time in order to pay for school rather than probably part time.
DeleteIf I could send a video to my younger self, I would probably float around the message "efforts pay off" or "work more and you'll be rewarded". I'd use images that showed people working hard and getting something in return. For instance, a guy lounging in a pool he had constructed himself, or people eating ice cream, enjoying the yard work they had accomplished. I would also need to say/show something along the lines of gravy trains stopping because I was very spoiled growing up, and didn't quite grasp what being on my own would be like until I was living it. I've always been pretty blunt, so I'd be straight forward with the message.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that your changed choices could have a negative or positive effect on our nation or economy.
DeleteWas there a specific event that helped you learn how "efforts pay off" or "work more and you'll be rewarded"? If so, would you use that in your video to help convince your younger self?
DeleteIf I were going to send a message to my younger self I would have to say get all education done and get established in a good career before you start a family. some of the images I would show are cap and gown, list of career's, different colleges, pictures pertaining to career list, dollars signs pertaining to income. A picture of home, automobile, vaction, savings account I would be straight forward with myself. I personal feel that it is easier to get education out of way and established in a career before you star the family life. Then you can enjoy both
ReplyDeleteDo you think that if you had waited on having a family and went into a career that you would still want children? I know a lot of people that wanted to wait on having a family and their career became a family if that makes since. They just don't have time because of all their work to have a family.
Deletethat's probably a good move, do you think you would have listened? also what do you think about the switch side of that when people wait to long and lose the ability to have a family?
DeleteThe message I'd put in the video would be work hard and play harder. Focus on where you want to be and take the necessary steps to get there yet have fun and enjoy what's around you. When you have the chance live it up, go crazy, be spontaneous more often. But never loose sight of where you want to be and what you want out of life. In this video there would be clips of a graduation ceremony and a retirement ceremony. Photos of pursuing a second career path and real vacations. I believe that my younger self would get the message if there were in a stern yet calm voice narrating the video. I'd get Clint Eastwood to be the narrator. In the end of the video I'd have to have "Listen to the advice your first boss gave you about retirement and use condoms because kids are outrageously expensive!"
ReplyDeleteGood point. It probably would be best to convey both living it up and not doing so. I might add someone locked into watching the TV as others live their lives to the fullest.
DeleteWow Meghan...this was really moving. My heart goes out to you. I especially like the addition of the narration along with the images as it paints a very clear picture. Do you feel your younger self would need that bit of a shock to listen?
ReplyDeleteWhen I think about giving advice to my younger self it’s the same advice I would give my teenage daughter. I believe being open and honest is the way to get through to her and to my younger self, as we are very much alike. I am choosing to list the top five things I wish to tell both of us. 1. Listen. The quieter you become the more you hear. ( Image of a scene in the country with a tree and nothing else around for miles) 2. Don’t compare your life to the life of anyone else. (Pictures of the “rich and famous”) 3. Be content with yourself. ( Photographs of my younger self through stages) 4. Don’t wait for someone else to make you happy, only you can do that. (Images of engagement rings and wedding cake toppers) 5. Turn your mistakes into lessons and your fears into courage. (Images of a classroom and skydivers)
ReplyDeleteDo you think you would tell your younger self about the bad experiences you have had to maybe give yourself a chance to decide? almost like an opportunity to change a past about a bad memory or decision
DeleteGreat question Cynthia! Yes I think I would definitely need to add some personal experiences to do some more convincing.
DeleteThat is an excellent video layout. I can actually picture the video as I read it and I think that would get the message across to more people than just yourself. Have you accomplished any of these 5 steps? I particularly like #5, have you turned any of your fears into courage?
DeleteOh goodness. If I could make a video message to my past self I would say Tighten Up. My main message would be to really think before I act on things, and not to let family pressure you into ANYTHING. Just say no and not be so easily influenced by others would be the approach to take for myself; there is no reason to try and be like everybody else, be yourself, and keep your head straight. My past self would need a lot of convincing.
ReplyDeleteI would first show a picture of the holes in the house that was shot at while my little brother and me was in it, followed by pictures of my cousin, brother, and me with stupid looks in our faces and blood shot eyes, with me in the back ground saying sure they might have been good times but was the decisions made intoxicated worth this, and have a picture of a gun on me and my brother peaking out the window screaming and crying, all of that to protect family.
I would end with a picture of myself now saying keep your brother out of trouble, finish school, and kick your cousins butt so maybe you wont feel responsible for the term him and my brother-in-law are spending in prison. Tighten Up.
Wow this is a great message. Thanks for sharing. Even after all the examples you would put in your video would you say that you would still need to convince yourself?
DeleteYes, I would still need some convincing. I was a stubborn punk not too long ago. I didnt care about anybody. I lived for the moment. Once I had kids everything changed for me. I had to take responsibility for more than myself and realized my kids deserved only the best. Maybe I would put something like that into my video message. Pictures of my kids when they were first born, but I would make sure they looked precious in those pictures because my kids are big meanies. (laughing my butt off)
DeleteThank you Meghan. Its really not easy looking out for siblings sometimes, but I remember many of times where we were all we had. No parents or family to help us so if we didn't stand up for each other then who would,
DeleteThe message that I would want to relay to my younger self would probably be to appreciate those closest to me more often and spend less time worrying about what my boss or coworkers thought of me. You only live once and your job is temporary, but family lasts forever. And as I have a tendency to be a sap sometimes, I think the theme that would hook my attention best is the theme from a movie called “One Magic Christmas,” in which I am taught the importance of family through tragedy. I think that its indirect approach is the best strategy needed to deliver the message as I seem to react to movies better than direct one-on-one “talks.” And to echo the movie, I think Christmas is the perfect supporting theme because that is when family seems to be even closer than any other time of year. There are a lot of times I have missed out on with my family because of my choices at work.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that if you focused more on family then work you would be were you are now?
DeleteThat is a good question, but honestly I firmly believe I would be fairly close to where I am now. However, I doubt that my reputation would be what it is now. I would probably be just average in the workplace, but work is temporary and memories last forever.
DeleteI love that phrase "work is temporary and memories last forever."
DeleteIf I could make a video as a message to send to my past self I believe the main message would be to seize the day. I would try to convince myself just how much can be done if only the time available was used appropriately to do so. Basically, I would tell myself to stop being such a procrastinator. Some visuals I would use would probably be footage of my uncle from whichever timeline I am referring to the make small clips of timelines showing progress of two people in my life. My uncle Arturo and my best friend Kate. My uncle today is the exact same place he was 10, 15 plus years ago. He was and is unemployed, living off my grandfather at age 48 while playing video games all day with no thrive or ambition to do anything else. My best friend Kate who 10 years ago was working at Wal-Mart supporting one drunken abusive boyfriend after another while she herself had a bit of a drinking problem, today she has an AA Nursing Degree rarely drinks at all and is happily married to a wonderful supportive man with a beautiful redheaded daughter. This would be proof that time is valuable and anything can happen if I am willing to make it happen.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that if you hadn't procrastinated when you were younger that you would have achieved more or do you think that you would still be where you are now?
DeleteI like your comparison of the lives of your uncle and best friend. It's amazing how one can change for the positive and just as depressing that another cannot. Is there specific point in your life that you feel you had seized the day more than another?
DeleteI believe that if I would have focused more on college when I first started in 2007 I would probably already have a degree working a better paying job not struggling to make ends meet. Right now I am trying so hard to raise a 4 year old boy on my own with a full time job and a full school schedule. Yes I believe if I had been more diligent with my studies I would not be where I am today. Yet then again I woukdnt have my son so I can't regret everything:-)
DeleteIf I could send a message to my younger self it would be to eat healthy and exercise during pregnancy. I would definatly advice my younger self that while pregnant to stop eating unhealthy foods because that will put you and your baby at risk. I would start a video with motivation fitness quotes all over the screen . One saying “ Exercise to be fit, exercise to be healthy for a lifetime.” I would also add pictures of different exercise that can be performed while being pregnant. Maybe include pictures of fruits, vegetables and all the healthy foods. Also include pictures of healthy babies after birth and include bottle of water everywhere. I would include pictures of fast food restaurants and my favorite drink DR. Pepper with a big NO across the picture. Towards the end of the video I would include a family outdoor picture playing outside to emphasize the importance of staying healthy and exercising even after pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteI can competly relate to your video message because I too would wish I was a lot healthier during pregnancy and I love how detailed with lots of pictures you would make your video message. What about adding on how to also stay fit after pregnancy because it influences your child to be healthy and active as well? Great message though!
DeleteI loved you post, I think that is very important and should be stressed by doctors everywhere. Do feel that your child's life would be extremely different if a doctor would have told you how important it was to stay fit? I tried to tell my sister that staying healthy while pregnant would be huge and she didn't; she is now suffering because of it and I feel so bad. :(
DeleteKayla to answer your questions yes I do feel my daughter life would be different if i was told to stay fit while pregnant. The cause of all these was my daughter was 11 pounds and labor was horrible. If only i ate healthier she would have not been so big.
DeleteRhiannon I agree with you, great idea. It so important to influence the little ones on healthy food although my daughter really loves the junk food and i am to blame.
oh my goodness Elsa, maybe moms like us can make that difference for others and stress to everyone that staying healthy during pregnancy is important. I totally understand where you are coming from. I had to have an emergency cesarean because my son was so big and because of that I have to have a cesarean every pregnancy. It is not a fun thing at all.
Deleteif i could make a video message to my past self i would tell myself to move out on my own and not with a roommate. The message i would give to myself is that if i live with a room mate i will not be able to enjoy my own living space. I know my past self would need a lot of convincing because at that time frame i thought that it would be cheaper to live alone. In the video message i would show what i would have to deal with if i lived with a room mate. I would stress to myself that it is important to know a person better before living with them. i moved out for my first time several months ago and am now living with a room mate that i rather not have. I like having to not pay as much money on rent, but it can be frustrating to come home to her mother in our apartment or finding someones clothes in my room when i haven't been home for several days.
ReplyDeleteOh my. If you had gotten a place on your own do you think you would feel better stressing over paying your rent, or would you prefer a roommate that you have known a little longer?
DeleteHave you spoken to your roommate about the issues that you've had with your living situation? Is your roommate being deliberately disrespectful, or is it unintentional? Do you think your younger self would listen to your position on the matter, or would you still have been excited both about moving out of your parent's house and in with your friend to listen to the more informed you?
DeleteSounds like some boundries need to be drawn. Maybe a sit down is needed to lay things on the table and hash some issues out ?
DeleteThis is so touching, it literally gave me chills reading it because I can relate to this so much. Do you think that if you had answered that phone call it could have changed anything emotionally for you?
ReplyDeleteIf i were to send a video to my past self I would have to tell him to calm down. Being angry that your life isn't great will only make it worse. Cheer up man life is going to get better, you will have some great friends to pick you up, and you will think that you are in love several times. Don't worry you are angry now but you have a pretty sweet ride ahead of you.
ReplyDeleteI love that! I was such an angry person when I was younger and I lost a lot of good things because of it. my question for you is do you think you would be where you are now if you had been less angry?
DeleteWow... that was moving. I'm sorry to hear about this.
ReplyDeleteI would tell myself not to take everything so seriously, and to try to enjoy the small things and just be happy. to listen to the advice given by those around me, and not to hang out with the kind of people I did, not make such shitty decisions with such shitty consequences. I would tell me to have more faith in himself, and to not start smoking, probably to drink less, and to consider the consequences of putting other shitty things in his body. I would probably want him to try a little harder and believe in himself more often. I guess really though the only thing that I'd really want him to do is to appreciate what he has around him and not focus so much on all the bad things in the world.
ReplyDeleteMy video would tell myself about the world conservation and animal protection needed all over the world. Teach myself in my past and teach other that every creature and plant on earth is crucial and extremely important for us to survive and enjoy. I would video how the world was in the past to compare it with the reality of our world these days and the negative results and destruction caused by human. Soon or later we will all perish and what we leave behind to our children is what we are building today's day.
ReplyDelete