Life Lessons from Small Towns

These are lessons I have learned from growing up in small town Dufur, OR. I don’t expect them to suddenly give you an epiphany and lead you in the right direction. But some people, including me, take growing up in a small community for granted. The truth is, you will experience some things you never could have if you had lived anywhere else.

1. If you have the opportunity to lie in the middle of the road without one car passing by, do it.
2. Appreciate every business. You don’t know how long it will be there.
3. Live where the stars in the night sky take your breath away. There are some places where all you see are city lights.
4. Even though you know everything about everyone, it doesn’t mean you should gossip.
5. When a teacher actually pushes you to do good, try harder. Once you get to college teachers might not even notice you’re in the classroom.
6. Even though being involved in sports is great, don’t rely on them to get you through life. Don’t forget, talent scouts don’t come to 1A schools.
7. Most parents will let kids explore on their own when the community is small and safe. Don’t take this for granted. Most children in the city don’t get this privilege.
8. Once you leave home, don’t expect to be up-to-date on the current trends. Depending on where you live, you are lucky to have a clothing store within an hour’s drive in the first place.
9. You might say you’ll never come back again…you are wrong.
10. Although stories of people marrying their high school sweetheart are romantic and do exist, don’t be broken hearted if it doesn’t last. Give yourself a chance to explore the world and meet someone new.
11. Indulge in one-of-a-kind country activities; rafting down the river, craw-dad fishing, pitching a tent in the backyard, listening to the coyotes at night, shooting pellet guns at pop cans.
12. I’ll never forget driving past endless fields of golden wheat swaying in the wind.
13. People don’t really go cow-tipping. (At least I don’t think so…)
14. Those who wear the shiny, rhinestone, cowboy boots are only wearing those for show. You’ll know a real cowboy when he/she is wearing scuffed up work boots all covered in mud.
15. If you do make a vow to live in your hometown for the rest of your life, at least get out and see the world a little. You’ll learn a thing or two. You may even be thankful to return to your sleepy little neighborhood.
16. No matter what you think, there is always a town out there smaller than yours.
17. I don’t know about anywhere else, but I have not seen a thunderstorm like those I saw in my hometown. (aside from the desert)
18. You may not hang on to every friend you knew while growing up, but try to keep those closest to you. They will always be there for you, reminding you that you will never go through anything alone.
19. To all the boys that went to my high school, you don’t all have to buy the same truck. If you already have a truck, don’t destroy the muffler and paint it to look like everyone else. Please don’t make me listen to the sound of your truck on the opposite side of town. The place is not that big…
20. Take lot’s of pictures and always remember all the good times.