Be who you needed when you were younger

There are a few who are needed when we were younger. And the list goes on like this: A teacher who believes in you when no one else does. An honest role model, or someone to go to for advice and guidance. Someone who inspires you to do whatever it takes to make a full-time career out of your deepest passions. A parent who is present and involved. A parent whose children don't need to make up excuses for their absenteeism. Someone who teaches you to use your own voice and never allow anyone to take your power.

Someone who gives hugs freely, keeps on saying I love you and accepts you unconditionally. Someone who can identify the things that challenged them, and relate to you, so that you can overcome those very same challenges for yourself. Someone who inspires you to make the right choices, but when you make mistakes or bad decisions, they support you and help you pick up the pieces. A true friend who knows you inside out.

A person full of dreams and hope. A person who believes that there is some way the world can still hold hands and be one and get along. Where there’s no war but only peace and everyone is equal. After you grow up and learn that there is no possible way for any of this to happen due to world politics, religion and other factors it’s a let down of magnitudinal proportion. Then you move on adopting the position you feel most comfortable with.

Finding someone willing to mentor you is very beneficial when one is young. The experience and wisdom of a mentor can guide one to make better choices in life that will guarantee success. Take every (reasonably sane and legal) opportunity offered to you. Learn to take responsibility for your own life and don’t blame others for your failures. Understand that you and you alone is responsible for your happiness and that no one owes you anything. It’s all up to you.

You have one life and time flies. Try to do worthwhile stuff and don’t sit on your ass wasting your life. You will have success and failure. Enjoy and celebrate your victories. Try to learn something from your failures but don’t dwell on them - move on. Try to be a good person to others. Don’t impose your own beliefs on others. Everyone mustn’t have the same ideas and values as you. Begin saving 10% of your net income and invest in funds and/or stocks every month. That’ll accumulate a lot over time if you start early. No absolute truths but some thoughts based on my life so far.

Now I am old enough to understand this issue, but looking back at things I’d have to say that your greatest gifts are your body and your mind, they deserve your greatest respect. Certainly a younger person can stand more abuse. I’ve Been lucky enough to have dodge a few bullets n my time that have left me relatively unscathed as a senior but I do have to wonder how much better I’d have been if I haven’t spent all those years stoned on cocaine and lots and lots of pot, meth, acid, and alcohol.

Now please don’t get me wrong, I really have nothing against ethical use of drugs, but as the old saying goes “There ain’t nothing wrong with a Cadillac, as long as it don’t ride you”. Certainly being able to observe things has been a huge lesson, as well as not to judge, but there are just so many things you learn as you get older its just so hard to pass things on. One last thing, just because someone’s gotten older doesn’t make them smarter/wiser, because there are just as many old goofs as there are young ones.

From a common sense perspective always spend less than you earn, save the difference. Know the difference between a want and a need. Credit is for a car needed for work, and a mortgage payment. Being limber and fit is a lifetime effort. Avoid users and negative people, they add only misery to your life. Find a job that you enjoy, and work for ethical people who value employees. Never start, or quit smoking. Use alcohol in moderation. always eat a healthy balanced diet with some cheat days. But love your family and spend time with people who enjoy life. Also you do not get old, your body ages. Cheers!