Ask Lindzi! :)

Lindzi Asks...

Wow! So, this is it. Since the site's 1997 debut, I've answered hundreds of advice letters. Although the majority of the letters received were not published, they were answered personally by e-mail, none the less. You see, that was always important to me. "Ask Lindzi" was one of the original columns on LPoI. I started it to benefit teens in need. After all, I'm a teen myself. I understand what it's like to be in a situation in which there seems to be no solution. Whether you were looking for beauty tips or needed help fighting depression, I've been here for you. Because I feel like I've answered it all, I decided to take this time to share some helpful advice that I've either heard or been given through out the years. . .

"Always wear sunscreen."

Advice from: My Mother

Lindzi: I hate to admit it, but I guess "mother does know best." She's given me tons of advice through out the years and has been a large influence in my life. "Always wear your sunscreen" stands out in my mind because she's hammered it into my head since I was a little girl. In actuality, I've always considered her sunscreen advice to be nagging, but it is good advice. Hey, they didn't make a song about it for nothing! With all these cancer scares, why not control what you can? I guess... with that comes... eat your greens, check for lumps, yada, yada, yada. Seriously, though, we're all so young that we don't think about it. However, that day will come when were are ((gasp!)) older and we'll thinking about these sort of things. Help avoid this future problem and heed this advice today!

"Set goals for yourself."
Advice from: MTV's Brian McFayden

Brian: Great advice from my grandfather... he always said, "Brian, set goals for yourself. Make the longest goal for five years. That way you can go back and evaluate." Honestly, I do this. I write these goals down on a sheet of paper. You don't have to make ten goals. Just make two or three goals. Then six months or a year later, you'll go back and go, Wow I actually did that. A lot of times your goals change.
Lindzi: Just today, I heard this put another way and it really struck me. "Don't live in the past. Don't live in the present. Live in the future."

"Don't be afraid to be a loner."
Advice from: Former camp counselor and good friend, Beth

Lindzi: This statement is helpful to have on hand during those awkward middle and high school years. Everyone's always struggling to be viewed as "cool" and "popular," but--when you break it down--do you care what they think? Honestly?! Okay, realistically, you probably do. You should ask yourself why you care. Beth, my former camp counselor, once told me, "Don't be afraid to be a loner." She is one of the coolest chicks I know. She's gorgeous inside and out... leaving it hard for me to believe that she too went through a loner stage. However, apparently she did. Her feeling was, if no one appreciates you for you, who needs 'em? And she's right! Don't be afraid to take "the road less traveled."

"Believe in yourself."
Advice from: Painting prodigy, Alexandra Nechita

Alexandra: I can't say that I've always known I could do it. There are times that you question yourself and your fears can rob you of those powers. You have to go with your heart. Boy, I just wish people could understand that anything in this world is possible as longs as you put your heart in it. I truly believe every person is given a passion by God. They have it instilled within them, it's just how long it takes [to develop] you don't know. I'm just so lucky to have discovered mine so early in life.

"Enjoy the journey."
Advice from: Crazy/Beautiful's Taryn Manning

Taryn: My mom taught me to "enjoy the journey." Sometimes I feel like my life's an emergency. Every day you're one step closer to whatever it is you want. Once you're there you have to look back and smile. You have to enjoy the journey on the way to your dream. For those who don't dream, find something you love to do because that's the only thing that'll keep you sane.

"Be nice to everyone."
Advice from: Good 'Ole Mom (again!)

Lindzi: I've got to give my mom props... this piece of advice has made me who I am today. I know it seems simple and self-explanatory, but kindness is not often practiced. We are living during a time that dwells on negativity. A time that prides itself in ruining the reputations of others. A time in which people focus on themselves. YOU can change the world you live in, however. Try talking to someone you never normally would. You'd be surprised at how much you could learn from a stranger. Smile at some random girl in the hall. You'd be amazed how your smile could brighten that person's day. Ask your parent how their day was. You'd be amazed how that could make their hard work worthwhile. Whether you realize it or not, YOU have that power over people. Use it.