Life Lessons
Here’s some life lesson’s I’ve learned. I’ll be adding to this list as I remember the more important lessons.
From the book/movie “1984”, when I first watched the movie back in high school (or maybe it was Jr. High?) – Never let them see your weakness(es). Winston let it be known that he was afraid of rats above all else, and that was used against him. To expand this, “…never let them know what you’re thinking.”
From Sun Tsu and various other situations and people, my core belief is to “Never get bent out of shape over anything you cannot control.” If I didn’t cause the problem, or if I cannot control the problem or outcome, there’s no reason to get torn up over it, there’s nothing I can do. To paraphrase, “….it is, what it is.”
Be kind, also be prepared to kill every mother fucker in the room.
Always have a knife. (or multi-tool). The premise of this lesson is from the Boy Scouts: Be Prepared!
Education and intelligence do not necessarily have a symbiotic relationship. One can be educated. One can be intelligent. One can be educated and intelligent. One can also be educated and dumb as a bag of hammers.
The best times of your lives are hardly ever noticed while they’re being experienced.
Organized religion is the world’s way of controlling the masses. Some of the most corrupt people I’ve known kneel at the foot of the cross on Sundays after partying like rock stars on Saturdays. You cannot have hate in your heart and be Christian. You cannot be greedy and profess to be a Christian either. “A rich man cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:16-2417 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’[a] and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
If the political scope of the United States is the Grand Canyon, the two major political parties are but a creek bed apart.
Always have a backup (plan).
To become “elite” at a particular skill, profession, game, etc. means you’re in the 1% – which is 99% better than anyone else. The stars must align to make everything come together. It’s not just experience, intelligence, education, or skill. It’s also health, mental well-being, preparation, desire, stamina, drive/ambition and an unmatched willingness to bounce back and try again and again.
Help someone with their job or task, you will learn something.
Pay attention to your surroundings, never get tunnel vision.
Sometimes the solution to the problem will present itself with patience. Many times, the solution is simple, overthinking is the majority of many problems.
Many problems persist because of (or lack of) friction. Either add friction or subtract friction and the problem can be easily resolved.
Never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lay down.
Take naps.
Be kind to animals. Dogs especially. Your dog thinks you are his/her entire world, treat them accordingly. Never take them for granted.
Karma is real.
After a lifetime of friendships, there’s maybe one, or if you’re lucky, two people in the entire world that you can count on when the chips are down, and it’s not necessarily someone that’s related to you or someone you’ve considered “your best friend”. Sometimes, it’s just an acquaintance. More times than not, there’s no one that you can count on to help hide the evidence. Keep that shit to yourself.
It’s impossible to use alcohol to wash away bad memories.
The war on drugs was a sham and complete failure.
Keeping up with the Jones’ will keep you in debt.
Treat the Janitor with the same respect as the CEO: Pick up a broom and get to work.