Dear Alex, Kyle and Jack:
On the occasion of my 60th trip around the sun, I’m moved to share lessons learned. And while self-indulgent, for sure, perhaps you’ll find veiled advice for living a robust life. Would I have uncovered on average one new morsel per year, mine has been a bountiful existence. In that spirit, here then are 60 that have influenced my journey:
- Life isn’t fair.
- It moves quickly, except when paying a car loan.
- Life-long learning is a cornerstone to fulfillment.
- Thoreau got it.
- Pay more for good shoes.
- Take care of your body.
- Blessings come in many forms. They all count.
- Gene Simmons is the smartest marketer I’ve met.
- Hard work germinates inspiration.
- Dogs are smart. Horses are not. Cats are obnoxious.
- Always take double odds.
- Pity the poor reader.
- Travel.
- Your parents are human.
- Life without a spiritual foundation is difficult and empty.
- Once an adult, always a son.
- It’s nobler to tolerate being slighted in the name of balancing centuries of inequality and misogyny.
- Father of the Groom is a satisfying supporting role.
- The cold beer after mowing the yard is the best.
- The Republic will survive any administration.
- John Wooden was inspirational.
- Plaid goes with nothing.
- Sunscreen is overrated.
- Burns are second only to heartbreak on the pain meter.
- I wasn’t put here to judge.
- You have one mouth and two ears. Listen twice as much as you talk.
- The value of cold showers is all hype.
- Know your grandparents.
- The government can’t be trusted.
- You’re weighed by how you respond to failure.
- Freedom of speech is freedom for the speech you hate.
- Don’t date Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift.
- Kindness counts.
- Pursue excellence.
- Perfection is a fortunate happenstance.
- Meditation is underrated.
- If you’re lost in nature, don’t move.
- Reality disrupts your dreams.
- You’re going to get conned.
- Sleep is the ultimate dichotomy — both sublime and intrusive.
- If you’re old enough to die for your country, you’re old enough to buy a beer.
- Raising children is the most creative thing you can do.
- Jackie Robinson was remarkable.
- Public service is an obligation, not an option.
- Only flip burgers one time.
- Drink the good stuff.
- When someone offers you their beer, don’t criticize the selection.
- Own a sports car at least once.
- Three prepositions, maximum, in any given sentence.
- Human fallibility is what makes sports great.
- Crunchy is better than smooth.
- Someone loving someone you love with all their heart is epic.
- Make one Bible verse and one Chinese proverb your own.
- Life’s too short to do business with assholes.
- Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
- Things with the most value are those you can’t buy.
- You can’t read too many books.
- Fasting is good for the soul, too.
- When in doubt, pray.
- Your mother is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
