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The Author’s Note

As an older sibling to my ten-year-old sister, I believe that I know a thing or two more than she does. After all, I have walked this earth seven more years than she has. As I will be leaving for university in a couple of months, I have decided to leave a couple of tips behind for my sister, Pam.

The Messages

There are fourteen messages in the book. These messages, although commonly used, are what I believe to be extremely important to help her walk through different situations.

It’s okay to not be the same as everybody else.

Pam, I want you to know that it is okay to be different. It is okay to think in a different light, to challenge someone’s opinion, and to react in a different way. You are your own person, and do not feel like you have to conform to others.

Just stand back up.

Pam, it may hurt when you fall, but there will be countless times throughout your life when you fall. Remember that "It's not how many times you get knocked down; it's how many times you get back up”. Life will throw adversity at you and wait to see how you react. Once upon a time when you were just shy of ten months old, I was delegated with the frustrating task of teaching you how to walk. There I was setting up an entire obstacle course for you with cones, tables, chairs, pillows, and other random objects sitting in the living room. I held your two hands with my own and walked you through the circuit. And now I am proud to tell you that, I pushed you. Yes, I pushed you—not to see you cry and whimper, but to see how you would stand up. At first, your tears poured out. Later, your tears dried up and you planted your two hands on the floor for support and slowly stood back up. Do what you did best while you were a still baby; Pam, stand back up.

Something that is broken can be fixed.

Pam, it is not the end of the world when something goes wrong. Things can be fixed and friendships can be restored. Do not feel discouraged when the undesired happens, everything can be pieced back together. There is always hope.

Try.

Pam, it makes a major difference when you try. In the beginning of Grade 12, I wrote my first AP Calculus test. I knew I would not do so well because I knew that my amount of homework practice was not enough. I got my test back and received a fifty-two percent. My heart dropped and I felt like a failure. However, deep down, I knew that I deserved the fifty-two percent, for I should have studied and prepared better. Then, I decided that if I wanted something, I had to work for it. I had to try; thus began my preparation for the next chapter test. I studied hard, did all my practice questions at least twice, and bugged my teacher with a ton of questions. I got the test back and I was one percent from acing the entire test. I felt proud and was awed at the big difference it made when I tried. You should try it out too; the feeling is priceless.

Nothing will stop you. Go for it.

Pam, when you want something, you should go for it. There are many opportunities in the world that are just waiting to be seized. You can be the one to seize them. Be bold. Be fearless. Be open-minded.

Accidents do happen.

Pam, these things do happen, and you just have to accept and forget them, then move on. Too many things happen; it is not worth it to dwell in the past.

It’s all about your spirit.

Pam, it is your spirit that matters. Your passion and how you perceive a situation will determine how successful you become. It hit me hard last year when I lost the Byng Arts Student Council elections last year. I did not like the feeling of losing, and especially losing something I wanted so much. After a couple of weeks, and with my friends’ encouragement, I began to take on a different perspective. I have always had the spirit of being involved in my school. Why would losing stop me from continuing that spirit? I decided that I would continue to be in Student Council and voice my opinions just as passionately and enthusiastically as I have always had. I still have that spirit.

The sun will come out.

Pam, there are good days, and then there are bad days. Accept there to be days in which you just wish you can could curl up in a ball and hide. Know that it is the bad days that make the good days so wonderful and unforgettable. The sun will come out and shine for you, you just have to wait.

Ask questions.

Pam, you can control how much you learn. You will get more out of lessons when you ask questions. Don’t let a question in your mind slip, unanswered. Bombard people with your questions, you will be surprised at much you will learn and how many dots you can connect.

Teamwork is everything.

Pam, not enough emphasis can be placed on the necessity of teamwork. It is truly unremarkable how much can be accomplished when you work as a team. All forces unite and can double or triple the efficiency of the task. Value your team and hone your teamwork skills. Also, remember that a team player is just as important as a team leader.

Help yourself by helping others.

Pam, you are helping yourself by shaping yourself into a big-hearted person. By helping others, you are also attracting people to help you.

Do more of what makes you happy.

Pam, whatever it is that you like to do, do more of it. You deserve to be one happy girl and do not let anything stop you from being one.

Always look up.

Pam, be optimistic. Believe that there is good, and see the bright side of a dark situation. There is a rainbow after every shower. Look for the rainbow.

You don’t have to stay within the lines. Take risks.

Pam, there will be many situations when you feel like you have to be someone or do something. Ever since we were little, we were all taught to stay within the lines on our colouring sheets. We always thought that one little stroke that strays from the line marks a flaw on our colouring sheet.  We are always determined to be perfect and colour perfectly. But, it is okay to colour outside the lines. It is okay to be imperfect. It is okay to do things your own way. It is okay to be you.

The Layout

The entire book is a frame that can sit on a table. It is meant to be displayed at a place that can be seen at all times. Books are often hard to be found on a bookshelf. The frame will prevent the reader from losing the book and losing its important messages. I have also designed the frame to have tissues coming out. We are used to seeing a picture in frame, but I have decided to show the tissue paper coming out like it is coming outside of its frame. The book itself is miniature and designed to be a handy personal manual. It has a jewellery box fastener to close it; it is intended to give the reader a feeling like the  content inside is precious, similar to the earrings and rings in a small jewellery box. The words, few in number, and images, black and white, are simple, which are to direct the reader to the main message.