i don't plan on having children...anytime soon...fact is...i'm more interested in leaving behind a body of work...but...someone asked rick...who writes everything is dumb...to put together a list of things that he's learned...the important stuff...the knowledge he'd like to pass along...it's a good list...and he's made an open invitation for others to join in...so here's my two cents...
if i ever have kids...here's some of what i'd hope to pass along...
first...everything of any real value that i've learned has come mostly from making my own mistakes and ignoring good advice...i expect no less from you...
basic principles...
pay attention...most people don't...this simple skill will give you a valuable edge...
have a plan...know where you want to go...and how you want to get there...
prepare...many opportunities are wasted because people aren't ready for them...
be flexible...the single most rewarded trait in nature is adaptability...
think for yourself...the most important question you can ask is...why...
say as much as you can...with as few words as is possible...
on youth...
your energy and optimism may lead you to feel invincible...try to avoid doing something stupid because of it...
you're going to get scraped up...you will bleed...if you're lucky...your heart...and maybesome other parts...will get broken...you will heal...
if you feel awkward at 13...theres two things you should know...so does everyone else...and...if you don't fake your way through it, you''l be a better person at 25...
on family and other relations...
most people you meet are transitory...they'll be in your life five years or less...so...value every one for what they can teach you...
the ones that stick around...no matter what happens...these people are truly your friends...
your family...are the only people who will always be there...from diaper to depends...these are the ones who chose you...and the ones you chose...
your friends and your family are your most valuable resoucre...protect them...appreciate them...honor them...
on money...
there is always someone ready to give you money...to do something that will make them richer...find a way to make yourself rich instead...
there is always someone who wants your money in exchange for something of little, or no value...
because a thing has a high price...doesn't mean it has high value...most of the time, the exact opposite is the case...
money is nothing more than a tool...what you do with it is more important than how much you have...
time does not equal money...
on sex & love...
it's easy to confuse love...with in love...in love...comes and goes...love...is constant...
sex is not always about love...sometimes it's just for fun...
be careful...some people use sex as a weapon...
spend some time alone...you will bring more to the table in a relationship...
because you can...doesn't mean that you should...
if you want to be good at sex...give slightly more than you receive...and never be afraid to do something new...
marriage...like the military...is not for everyone...have some relationship experience before planning to spend the rest of your life with someone...
on health, hygiene and beauty...
get out of the house...your body was made for movement...
your body is like an engine...when you put crappy fuel in it...it performs like crap...
one whole food everyday...at least...
drugs...have been around as long as human beings have been eating flowers, roots, and mushrooms...if you're going to do drugs...try sticking with stuff thats been around a few centuries...better yet, a few millennia...because the modern stuff is deadly...
speaking of drugs...um, smoking...how dumb is that...but hey...it's your body...
you're going to die anyway...so...pick your poison...
your teeth...your hands...your ears...and your feet...keep them clean and protect them...
anyone can be attractive...character, that's beautiful...
on art, culture and fashion...
art...like love...is an overused, misunderstood word...
half of government/religion/science/philosphy/business...the dominant cultural paradigm...is bullshit...the other half should be understood in the historical context of power, politics, and personality...
comfort and convenience are overrated...learn how to live outside the dominant paradigm whenever possible...
you will always look good...as long as what you're wearing fits...
for men...own a tuxedo...no sandals...ever...a high quality hawaiian shirt is a good thing...white socks...only with sneakers...after 25, you are still allowed wear a ball cap...but...you can only turn it backwards if you're a baseball catcher...
finally...
be wary of anyone else's rules...
