45

I turned 45 today. If all goes well, that puts me at right about the halfway point. If not…lets not talk about that.

In 45 years, I’ve learned a lot of stuff, some useful, some not so useful, some completely pointless. And I still want to know more. I like to know how and why things work. I was the kid who took apart all of his toys to see what was inside. I didn’t always understand what I was looking at, but it still satisfied my curiosity.

I try not to be preachy about things with my kids or my students or anyone else for that matter, but I’ve come to realize that some of the lessons, observations, and suggestions that I have, may be helpful to someone….or not.

At any rate, I put together a list. It’s numbered, but they are in no particular order. Enjoy my insights…or go find something better to do. The choice is yours.

1. Always wear gloves when you cut jalapenos.
2. If you skip #1, be sure to wash your hands BEFORE you go to the bathroom.
3. Learn to drive a stick shift before they all disappear.
4. If you’re driving a stick shift, don’t get the clutch and brake pedals mixed up.
5. When you switch back to an automatic transmission, don’t forget there isn’t a clutch. Randomly slamming on the brakes is not fun.
6. Feed the cat before you sit down to read. This distracts them so they don’t jump on your book while you’re reading.
7. Better yet, don’t get a cat.
8. Let your mind wander from time to time. It’s going to anyway, so it’s better if you choose when…so it doesn’t happen while you’re driving down the highway.
9. Learn to make margaritas. That way, when life gives you lemons, you’re ready. (Or you can make lemonade if you’d prefer.)
10. Learn some basic home improvements. It saves a ton of money and makes you look cool.
11. Looking cool is not really that important.
12. Only dance like no one is watching if you’re at least somewhat coordinated. It’s not worth breaking bones over.
13. Don’t concern yourself with other people’s opinions…except maybe your boss.
14. Be your own boss if you can.
15. “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” (So I stole that one from George R. R. Martin, but I really like that quote.)
16. “Read, read, read. Read everything – trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it.” (Last stolen quote, I promise. That was William Faulkner, but you probably knew that already. If not, you should read more.)
17. Give people credit for their good ideas.
18. Eat peanut butter like it’s going out of style.
19. Don’t eat peanut butter if you’re allergic to nuts.
20. Even when (especially when) you’re frustrated with people, be patient.
21. Kindness is free.
22. Vote every opportunity you get. It may not seem important to you. It is!
23. Vote! It’s worth repeating.
24. Even if words fail you, show love and gratitude whenever you can.
25. Be selfish sometimes.
26. Saying “yes” to everything is toxic.
27. You’re never too old to watch cartoons…and enjoy them.
28. Don’t grow up too soon. Adulting isn’t all that great sometimes.
29. Take care of your body. It’s the only one you get. (Unless they figure out how to make copies, like in Westworld.)
30. Overindulge from time to time.
31. Life is all about balance.
32. Unplug and take in the world around you.
33. Find a hobby that you truly enjoy to help take your mind off the real world.
34. Learn without ceasing.
35. Learn to laugh at yourself. You’re probably really funny.
36. Don’t worry about things you can’t control. (This is my mantra.)
37. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learn from them.
38. Learn from others’ mistakes, and don’t repeat them.
39. Find friends who make mistakes so you can learn from them.
40. Always help your friends and family get back up when they make mistakes and fall.
41. Life’s too short to read a bad book…
42. or watch a bad movie…
43. or eat bad food…
44. or…well, you get the idea.
45. Life is complicated. Most things aren’t just black and white. Gray is a color too.

I’m sure I could come up with more, but I doubt most people actually read this far anyway. If you did, thanks…and you should really get a hobby.

Here’s to another 45 (or more) years.