Well, as this is the last day that I am a teen/kid (in a way, I guess), I thought I'd reflect a bit on my life thus far. Nothing too deep or profound, as I really don't feel like it. So, without further ado, here are twenty brief lessons I have learned thus far.
-Don't call people unless you intend to speak to them.
-Face to face contact always beats online contact.
-Be yourself. Don't create an image. It's better to be a dork than a poser.
-Let people know you care. Do the little things.
-Take risks. One chance may be all you get.
-When it's time to let things die, don't keep them on life support.
-Talking a big game is one thing; having one is another.
-Doing just enough risks coming up just short. Attack things full force.
-Stay focused. Nothing good comes out of distractions.
-If you're going to ask people for advice, and they all come to a general consensus, it is usually wise to heed the advice.
-Don't underestimate the younger, smaller, or weaker.
-Everyone deserves one chance, but nobody truly deserves a second chance.
-When going out with friends, always get separate checks.
-Keep your humor in line. You never know who will hear about it, or discover your inside jokes.
-Maintain balance.
-Sometimes progress means moving forward. Other times it requires reverting to where you once were.
-There comes a point where we all must lead. At that point we must decide what kind of leaders we will be.
-Being knocked down is not the same as being knocked out.
-Growing up is knowing when to maintain hope as well as when to let practicality set in.
And finally,
-Who we are around really plays a great role of making up who we are. So pick a good crew to be with. I think I did.
Well, thanks for making these last 20 years a blast. This Jakob Duehr XX celebration will last the entire year, and I hope you join me for the ride.
