How I did it: We go see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra every year around Christmas time, and this was our 9th year going. Last year was my first year at college and I wasn't home in time to go with my family. I had seen the west coast touring group in Seattle, but it didn't hold a candle to being at the concert with my family, seeing the east coast group I had grown up watching. To make this year extra special, I surprised my mom and sister by getting ahold of front-row seats. They didn't know until we got to the venue and I told them...but they flipped out! The looks on their faces were priceless, and I'm so glad I resisted the temptation to tell them a million times over the phone.

Lessons & tips: It can be hard to keep a secret, but once you learn how to you'll be better off for it. If it's something you can't actually tell someone, you'd be better off writing it down. And if it's something that no one can ever know, writing it down can still help...just make sure to destroy the paper afterwards! My secret wasn't something that would hurt someone, but there are many that can. I think it's important to remember that sometimes opening your mouth when it's not your place can really affect other people in negative ways. I learned that the hard way.

Resources: It was certainly an exercise to strengthen my willpower! Have a journal around, or a diary...something that you can confide in but won't run off and tell another person!

Dec 14, 2008, 05:32PM PST | 0 comments