Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Five Lessons Nancy Drew Taught Me Best


Oh the times my library card was scanned for a Nancy Drew mystery in elementary school. As a timid nine year old, I adored her wit, beauty, charm, and confidence. She was everything I wanted to be as I grew into a woman, and, although I still will probably never crack a legendary mystery or catch a wanted fugitive, I learned a few lessons from her that will stand the test of time in being a woman the world needs. Here are my favorite five.


1. Get a Clue-Then use it.

"not many girls would have used their wits the way you did." -about Nancy 

Here's a wake up call: you're a living person and you live in a world that is changing every day. Know what's going on around you. Be brainy! Care about your world, your grades, your future. No one thinks dumb girls are cute, except even dumber boys. The world is begging for people who are passionate to be alive.

2. Be Brave. 

"I don't care if it's fires, earthquakes, or Mr. Valdes and his gang of ghosts." -Nancy 

Nancy definitely knew how to hike up her skirt and tough it out. So what happened to us not taking chances and sitting on the last row seats on the roller coaster? BORING. It's time to go after your dreams, stand up for yourself, and step out of the "norm" to achieve what you've always wanted. 

3. Sometimes, Break some Rules. 

"No trespassing? Pfft." -Nancy 

KEYWORD: SOMETIMES. Was it legal to climb a Birmingham billboard to see the cityscape that took my breath away? Probably not. Was I super careful, and was it amazing? Absolutely. I thought it added some needed flavor to the recipe that is my life.

4. Be mysterious. 

"Do be mysterious. It always keeps them coming back for more." -Nancy

Here's the lesson that our world needs more than ever. Don't annoy people with every detail of your life. More than likely, they don't care. Keep some things, including your skin, to yourself. People, especially men, will want to figure out what makes you tick. Leaving them always returning for more.

5. Don't Choose the "Really Good Guy." Choose the Right Guy. 

"A knight in shining armor never did nothing for nobody. He never fought. A knight in dented, scraped armor, now that's what you want." -Nancy  

I think we as girls have begun to put way too much pressure on guys these days. We want a guy who will never hurt our feelings, will understand everything we want, and will always be all happy go-lucky, never making a mistake. The truth: boys are human just like you. The key is knowing that the only person who will never let you down and never hurt you is God. The man in your life will hurt your feelings, he won't understand you sometimes, and he will make mistakes. And guess what? So. Will. You. There is no "perfect guy" out there, but there is a perfect guy for you. Ask God to reveal him to you in His timing, and wait patiently in your own beat-up armor for him to come along. 

I hope these help your life like they have helped mine. Go dust off one of Nancy's stories and refresh your memory with what a great gal she was and still is.

XX,

Claire (and Nancy)