In doing research for a blog post (really!) I was looking at my high school yearbook. Like all great adventures, I didn't find what I was looking for, but I found something else that was just as valuable, if not more. 

I gained insight into who I was, over thirty years ago, and I found parts of me that I had forgotten about with age.

Let's face it.  At 18 years old, the die is largely cast.  Sure, you may have been known for things that only a teenager would do. Now that you are a mature adult, with a well-paying job and a mortgage, you wouldn't think of such behavior.  But deep down, the kernel is still there.

Reading what my peers and friends wrote in my yearbook, here's what I was known for:

• I was kind to others.  This is not so surprising, as I try to be kind as an adult as well.  I did, however, take this as commentary on how teenagers can be abusive to each other and lack sensitivity towards their peers.  I think the perception of my kindness was due to my unwillingness to partake in common teen behavior. 

• I was fun and funny, even goofy. This surprised me, as it's not how I think of myself today.  Yet I do remember taking risks as an adolescent in the name of fun. "Teepeeing" a teacher's house and throwing a shaving cream pie in a teacher's face as a prank both come to mind. Now, my moments of rolling on the floor are usually when I'm with my sister, while providing droll commentary on life.  Note to self:  Try to have more fun.  Don't be afraid to let my sense of humor rip, especially while blogging.  

• I was a good flute player. Not much revelation here.  I still play occasionally, but it doesn't hold the same creative satisfaction and milestone of achievement that it did as a teenager. Creativity gets expressed through other means, including blogging. Achievement is still important to me, but as I've gotten older, I'd like to think that I've gained a more balanced perspective.

No one talked about my ability to get things done, or being a logical thinker.  No one mentioned good listening skills or being a thoughtful writer. isn't it funny how who we think we are today isn't who we've always been? 

What people say about you at different phases of your life (think performance reviews) is a snapshot in time of who you are being at that stage of life.  Hopefully, over the years, you bring the best forward and evolve to integrate in life's lessons.  I like to think that now, I'm more reflective, compassionate, and intuitive than I was as an adolescent. I also want to make sure I bring out the more playful attitude that was part of those early years.

Several years ago, one of my high school friends sent a photo of me at 18 years old.  We had just graduated from high school. I made a copy of this photo and stuck the following words above it: "note to self:  remember to play today."

Who were you in high school and what parts have you forgotten that you want to bring forward? Do tell.