Although I try to keep this blog strictly related to writing, sometimes I like to veer off track a little. A couple of things have combined to inspire this particular post–mainly the passing of my thirty-sixth birthday a few weeks back–which apparently has caused me to ponder some things.
I don’t have children, and that is a choice I made at 22. At that age, doctors (or at least my doctor) refused to give me the snip despite my certainty that I’d never change my mind on the matter. I’ve made no effort since to get the cobra de-venomized–mostly out of laziness–and gratefully, I’ve fathered no children–that I’m aware of–in the meantime. That was almost 15 years ago, and I still haven’t changed my mind–but I will admit to having a kind of biological desire to pass something on.
So… on this long, hot, boring day, I’ve made a list of things I’ve learned–both from experience and from the experiences of others–that I’d like to think I’d take the time to teach my child–if I had ever had one.
Don’t judge me. Raising rhetorical children is no easy task. Why, I’ve spent almost an hour and a half on the little bastard today alone. This is my imaginary child, and I will raise it as I see fit.
But seriously…
101 Things I’d Like to Teach My Child
#1. Never let anyone tell you something isn’t funny. If you’re laughing, it is, in fact, funny.
#2. Age and wisdom are not necessarily synonymous with each other.
#3. Blood isn’t always thicker than water.
#4. If you set out to “get even,” don’t expect it to go as planned.
#5. Anyone who tries to isolate you from your friends and family is giving you the first warning of abuses to come.
#6. Insecurity is the root of the majority of all character flaws.
#7. Next to an absolute refusal to fail, integrity will take you further than anything.
#8. There are just as many people who will help you as there are who will hinder you.
#9. If you have no self-respect, it’s your own fault.
#10. Inspiration is a flake.
#11. Responsibility is a verb. Admitting fault is just the first step. Fixing the damage is key. If the damage is irreparable, accept that and learn from it.
#12. Never let anyone threaten you. And veiled threats are still threats.
#13. The underestimation of others’ intelligence is the ultimate practice of stupidity.
#14. Don’t maintain relationships with people who have no loyalty to you.
#15. Insecurity is absolutely a choice. And it’s a lazy choice.
#16. Yes, there are such things as grown men who need to talk to their mothers every day, and no, you do not need to be one of them.
#17. If you want to be respected, do respectable things.
#18. Before you criticize another person’s behavior, be sure you’re not guilty of the same thing.
#19. No matter how many times you watch a bad movie, it will still suck.
#20. Listen to people when they speak about their relationships with others. People tell you all the time who they really are.
#21. Choosing your company wisely isn’t self-righteous. It’s vital to good health and an industrious life.
#22. People come and go. Let them.
#23. Never think you’re so unique that the rules don’t apply to you, and never think bad people will make exceptions for you.
#24. If you want something, expect to work damned hard for it.
#25. There is a price for everything. Everything.
#26. If someone hurts you and apologizes for it, let the hurt go and forget the incident. If they do the same thing a second time, they are abusing you.
#27. Forgiveness is not saying something is okay. Forgiveness is the choice to let go of resentment.
#28. Sometimes you have to remove a person from your life in order to forgive them. That’s okay, but always forgive.
#29. You don’t owe anyone anything, and no one owes you anything.
#30. Don’t accept gifts from anyone who wants something in return.
#31. Envy is ugly at best and cancerous at worst. Never indulge in envy.
#32. You are not responsible for anyone’s feelings but your own, and no one has so much power that they should be allowed to dictate yours. Own yourself.
#33. Never let anyone tell you what to believe. Be silent, ask tough questions, and trust your instincts to tell you the truth.
#34. Make friends with people who possess the qualities you want for yourself. Step up, not down, and never let anyone tell you that’s arrogant or judgmental.
#35. Never let anyone invade your personal space, not even me.
#36. There will come a time in life when you’re given a choice between doing what others expect of you and choosing to be true to who you are. Choose to be who you are. It’s harder, but you’ll never know personal fulfillment if you don’t do it.
#37. It’s none of your business how people perceive you.
#38. Flattery only works when it’s genuine.
#39. Happiness is a feeling, and all feelings come and go. Acceptance is the closest you’ll ever come to a permanent sense of happiness.
#40. You don’t have control over other people and only fools think otherwise.
#41. There is a different between ignorance and stupidity. Ignorance is the lack of knowledge. Stupidity is a decision to remain ignorant.
#42. No matter what you love to do, there’s a way to make money doing it.
#43. You cannot control what other people think of you.
#44. Love is as much a commitment, a decision, as it is an emotion.
#45. Being at the mercy of your mood is one of the most self-defeating habits one can adopt.
#46. Never allow your children to openly criticize other adults. It makes everyone look stupid.
#47. Just because you have the constitutional right to express your opinions doesn’t mean you have to. Never let anyone tell you that you’re obligated to any cause.
#48. Life has enough drama. Avoid people who bring chaos and upset into your life.
#49. People who aren’t secure enough to introduce their friends to each other are questionable.
#50. You have control over your actions… and nothing or no one else.
#51. Don’t assume you can disrespect a person because they are in your house, and don’t allow anyone to disrespect you because you are in their house.
#52. You are not responsible for anyone’s actions but your own.
#53. Be leery of anyone who tells you how nice and trustworthy they are.
#54. The choices you make every day–large and small–will determine how your life turns out and who you become.
#55. If there is a devil, fear is his greatest tool, and if there is a god, forgiveness is his.
#56. Sometimes the line between honesty and cruelty is a thin one. Err on the side of kindness.
#57. Open as many doors for other people as possible. This is the best way I know of to get ahead.
#57. Addiction doesn’t die, it simply changes form.
#58. Always sincerely congratulate others for their successes.
#59. Very successful people have worked hard for it. Never assume they got lucky.
#60. Never say you don’t have time to read. We all know this is bullshit.
#61. Never, ever complain about your spouse. It makes you look foolish.
#62. Never assume doctors have your best interest at heart.
#63. There are things you can change about yourself, and things you can’t. Determine the difference and accept yourself.
#64. Never assume anyone is wiser than you.
#65. Figure out who you are before you’re thirty. Being a lost soul at fifty is laughable.
#66. Bitterness is a choice.
#67. If you work hard and accomplish your goals, the fear of age will not own you.
#68. You can’t replace a person with anyone else.
#69. If you feel like no one ever listens to you, try doing what you say you’re going to do. People hear integrity.
#70. The ego is weak, ineffectual, and it cannot sustain you. Go deeper.
#71. Humility is an indication of intelligence.
#72. You cannot be good at everything, nor do you need to be.
#73. Don’t enable others, and don’t allow others to enable you.
#74. Whether or not God exists, prayer works.
#75. Fear lies.
#76. Exercise is not over-rated.
#77. Soulmates exist.
#78. The universe is on its own time-frame. You won’t always get what you want when you want it.
#79. Don’t pick and choose biblical references. If you’re going to bring the bible into it, bring it all.
#80. There’s no such thing as casual sex.
#81. Before you set out to “teach someone a lesson,” ask yourself when the last time was that someone taught you a lesson.
#82. Make a list of daily goals and adhere to them. Over time, you’ll be amazed.
#83. Revenge only works on TV.
#84. Don’t throw the first punch… and don’t hold back once it’s been thrown.
#85. People know when they’re being manipulated.
#86. Think critically before forming an opinion. That way you won’t be that dumb ass who can’t seem to make up his mind about even his most basic perceptions and beliefs.
#87. If someone takes an interest in you, rest assured they want something, but don’t assume it’s something entirely self-serving either.
#88. The world will always want fantasy, glamour and romance. There are a million ways to work that to your advantage.
#89. Know the difference between business and pleasure and don’t mingle with those who don’t.
#90. If you want to go places, find out what people want and deliver it.
#91. Life is approximately 5% chance and 95% free will.
#92. The best way to age gracefully is to make it your goal to be a better person this year than you were last year.
#93. There will always be someone in your life who thinks everything needs to be done their way. Let them. It’s fun to watch them gape in stupid surprise when no one obeys.
#94. “Brushing your teeth” is a figure of speech. You need to clean your whole mouth.
#95. Trying to be unique is anything but unique.
#96. Don’t rush to lose your innocence. Once it’s gone, it doesn’t come back.
#97. People who have no heroes are either entirely without direction, or way too cynical.
#98. No matter the price, never let anyone own you.
#99. There’s always a choice. Always.
#100. Better to be naïve than jaded.
#101. Don’t allow people to misuse you. Simply don’t stand for it.
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