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shoconno

- 2 years ago

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Who was that person who gave you the best advice of your life? And what was that advice?

I was thinking about this the other day. My answer is: My first girlfriend's parents. They said to me, when I was only 18 years old, "You can do whatever you want in your life. Absolutely whatever you want." Nobody ever told me that before. It was liberating. I've always remembered that, strongly.

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Too true.

My Daddy:

"Don't ever degrade yourself by viewing yourself statistically"

probem = problem

"You can do whatever you want in your life. Absolutely whatever you want."

Not to be a curmudgeon, but it's hard to imagine anything being less true. It is a fantasy/fallacy that's been foisted on the youth of America for generations and it's led to disappointment and disastrous consequences for so many that it's time to put a stop to it, I think.

If you are under six feet tall, you cannot have a career in the NBA. If you are not athletically gifted, then a career in any sport is out of the question.

If you were not born in the US, you cannot be President. Ask Arnold.

If you're not academically gifted or wealthy and don't have a relative that preceded you, you can't go to Harvard...or Yale or Princeton...

If you're not good with numbers, a successful career in finance will elude you.

I could bet good money on the fact that you're not going to be rich, not going to be famous, not going to do anything that will alter the course of world history and I would win consistently.

I could go on but I think you get the picture. You are completely limited by your abilities as well as your circumstances. Oh, I'm sure you can cite exceptions (except to the President thing) but one in a thousand--one in ten thousand--hardly equates to 'you can do absolutely whatever you want in your life. as a believable rule to live by. It simply isn't real.

So here's my best advice to young folks: Do a bunch of different things. Find the things you're good at and find a few you really like to do. Those two will almost certainly intersect at some point(s). Pursue that. That's where you can do the most good, have the greatest impact, find the most happiness. Forget rich and famous, 'whatever you want'. Choose happy and successful instead.

Yeah, I know. People think I'm an as*hole when I lay this out. I'm just not a member of The Church of Whatever You Want In Life.

Team SP

An ex, aka the Baron, told me once to "breathe, relax, focus, and have fun." I have a tendency to overthink things. His advice works in all contexts.

"you can do whatever you want in your life"
Doesnt that speak for the greatness of America?

The more you cry, the less you pee.

"If you feel completely comfortable with your life before the age of 25, then you've fucked up."

Probably when my History Teacher in 10th grade was explaining to his class that History has a funny way of showing what can happen in the future.

"If you don't know your history, you are doomed to repeat it." That rings in my head quite often. It also helps me make changes in my everyday life knowing my past, and knowing what to do later on.

A guy who I used to go to frequently for guidance once said:

Whatever you want to do in life, remember there is someone else out there who wants the same thing. And if you don't work harder than they do today,when you meet up, they will win.

I have heard this again since that time and it is something that rings in my head when I feel like quitting anything.

My great, great grandma who is 102 years old, asked me to give her a hug, as I leaned over, she whispered in my ear, "just be happy".

"Ask 'what would love do now?" :]]

Lissett Lazo - "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable."

I'm not too sure if she quoted that herself or from elsewhere but those words stick pretty well in my thoughts.

Also, anything Mr.Feeny said. Pretty much anything.

My old best friend. She said "You always ask for my advice but you never take it." Something about that woke me up and I started listening to other people, really listening.

*referring

"Marriage is for money. Affairs are for love." Definitely not the best advice I've been given but the most amusing.

My father told me, probably after my first major heartbreak: "This too shall pass." It helps me to remember that whenever things get rough, it won't last forever.

My father:
"the biggest thing that will get you in trouble is your mouth."

"Cash rules everything around me."- Wu-Tang Clan

They told me that a long time ago but I make them remind me every month or so.

my grandfather: No matter the situation and where you are in life, there will ALWAYS be someone better than you and always somebody worse than you.

@shoconno Behind whatever locked door my key fits.

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Who was that person who gave you the best advice of your life? And what was that advice?