Advice for the Coming Year: A Ramble

Friends,

Tonight marks a turning point for many across our world. Tonight we are quick to cast our past lives away in exchange for a newer, far more optimistic tomorrow. Let us not hold against our neighbor his personal mistakes and missteps as we continue forward on our journeys toward our ultimate destinies. Let us remember that life, in and of itself, is a finite sensation; and being alive is quite different from living. Let us all seek to avoid such undesirable qualities as cynicism and anger. But most of all may we forbid ourselves to fall into a state of apathy, for apathy marks the beginning of a spiraling downward-facing road toward nothing to live for. Do good only for the sake of people; never expect anything in return. However, never allow one’s good deed to go unthanked. Never allow yourself to be discouraged, for this too shall pass. Do not waste your energy on needless hate, despair, or worry; for this too shall pass. And cherish every moment, for this too shall pass. When greeted, return the favor. Acknowledge people. Remember that everyone on this planet is coping or struggling with something. Work hard. Strive for success in whatever you do. Risk taking should not be confused with needless self-satisfaction.  Be willing to step away from the self. Remember that we are all parts of a whole, and we each have a choice. We can either strive to better the whole with our individual strengths, beliefs, and ideas; or we can choose to live for the better of the self, alone. “It’s better to fail in a puddle or sweat, blood, and tears than to never have tried at all.” Tip more than 15%.  Never start a fight. Always finish a fight. Make wise mistakes. Never burn a bridge. Play with children. Be teacher and student. Cry on a friend’s shoulder. Be a shoulder to cry on. Be wrong. Be kind. Be friendly. Dance.  Sing. Live. Love. Laugh.

Here stands the result of me typing any piece of advice that I could think to give myself at this point last year. I am interested to see what else I will feel compelled to tell myself at this point one year from now (provided that we all are not promptly destroyed in a fiery, apocalyptic inferno). I refuse to proofread any of my previous statements. Take from it what you will.

 May the coming year bring love, fortune, and change to all who need it. I can gladly say that I am a different person now than I was on January 1, 2011. May I be a different person at this point in one year. May we all.

Here’s to hope and a new blog.

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Peace out, bitches.

Isaac G. Young