25 Things I Learned When I Turned 25
You will have few true friends. And that is a good thing. It is hard to be a good friend to anyone. It takes a lot fo hard work, patience, and determination. Thus you will have few friends that you can truly count on throughout your life. And because they are so few and far between makes them very special. they are to be cherished as best you humanly can.
Love, true love is the cause of all deep suffering. When I was in elementary school, a class mate/friend at the times younger brother died when he was just an infant. I went to the funeral instead of school to support my friend. When they buried the body, (rather during the burial). My friends mother fell to her knees, grabbed the casket, friend and let out screams and whaling that shook me to my core. I still remember what she sounded like. A sound of a parent burying their child is a cry like no other. That is what love does. It causes unbelievable suffering sooner or later, in the end it will always cause hurt. I learned that early.
Love may be the cause of all suffering but love is the root of all meaning! I didn’t believe this for the longest time. I suppose it is a sign of maturity to admit when your mind has changed. It takes a truly strong force to change a stubborn mans mind. I suppose that’s the choice we all must choose. An easy life with no suffering, no love, and no meaning. Or a hard life filled with suffering, abundant love, and true meaning. Well, I think it’s worth it to choose the latter every time.
It never pays to say something when you’re angry. It may seem like a good idea at the time. You may think that this anger will help you get your point around better. It won’t. It is pretty much never worth it to say something with anger: best to be calm and clear, this prevents regrettable moments in life. And life is far too short for that.
If you are drinking, best to drink one pint of water for every ounce of alcohol. Best to stay hydrated, prevent hangovers, pace yourself and not make a fool out of yourself.
My father always told me this saying, “Rush to accept responsibility.” I feel like that type of attitude is critical to living a life where people respect you.
My father had another line, which I remember well, “Success is seen it is never heard.” When people are bragging about their “success” it is typically not real. It is something you see with your eyes, it is what they have, can do, act, which shows if someone is successful. Not what they say.
It always pays to take the high road no matter how hard or angry you are with another person. It never pays to be petty.
There is only one true enemy which encounters everyone who has ever lived. His name is time. There is never enough of it. It is the villain that always wins in the end. Time will get you. The only part you control is the terms on which you decide to go. And if you have made the most of your life.
It’s harder to be nice than it is to be smart. There are many witty, funny and smart things to say that will be mean and hurt someone or make that person feel lesser. It is much harder to say something genuine and nice. A pun does not take as much mental ability as you think.
It lis your choices not your abilities that define who you are. Best to praise young children on their choices instead of their abilities and accomplishments.
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This is not just true in physics but in life as well.
Evolution is a driving yet invisible force in our lives. Take note of it. Use your evolutionary echo to your advantage. Lean into evolution don’t go against it.
A lasting legacy is always more impressive and important than a fleeting pleasure
Stick up to your loved ones. Courage and nerve is indispensable.
Stoicism with a healthy does of existentialism could be by far the most important and useful philosophy and mental operating system one can ask for.
Nothing is perfect. Things will remain unfinished. Any ambitious man will die thirsty. So prepare for that reality. Your death bed will arrive sooner than you think.
Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.
Hypocrites are ugly creatures. Don’t become one.
Effects from actions taken and memory of those actions taken are inversely related when measured over time. Take for example your memory over time or rather your memory of the work you are putting into a certain task or goal or skill. Your memory goes down over time at an acerbating rate. However your outcomes of your action are going in the complete opposite direction. Keep this in mind as time goes by.
There is an 80/20 rule to all things, not just the economy, it applies to sunlight and even stars in the galaxy. Keep this in mind as you plan and live. Good created the universe with loaded dice. Use the loaded dice to your advantage.
Summertime is always shorter than you’d like. And winter is always longer than you think you can bare.
Stories are told to pass down values.
Values arrived from evolutionary pressures. Traits and actions that created social cohesion and social flourishing were passed down. This is the stem of all modern values.
Whenever you think you know something chances are you have some more to learn.
