LIFE.

Let's start out with some laughter which never killed anyone (directly).

I ask this of ALL of you. It’s a simple request. Let’s do something positive. Good. Meaningful.

Here is the question:

“Is life just a way of passing time until you die?”

Answer: “Possibly”

Please make it matter. It needs to mean SOMETHING. It IS EVERYTHING. Here are a few guidelines to LIFE as I see it. I think I am correct.

1. Life is Finite. Let's Hope So.

While you are here, on this planet, please understand that as a visitor you should leave gracefully and close all those doors. Pick up all your fears and woes, place them in a box and take them with you when you leave.

As stated below:

2. Life is Not Kind and Holds Nasty Surprises as well as good ones.

This is not going to make me any more unpopular than I already am so here goes: People you love WILL hurt you and so shall you - albeit without your knowledge and/or your awareness directly or indirectly.

Pobody's Nerfect. No matter how many times others put you down or hurt you, stand back up. If you get sick get out of bed. Go outside and feel normal again.

3. Life is for Living.

We are here for a short time and our brains at adulthood hold 1 gig of knowledge/storage. Use that 1 gig wisely because your cell phone has more storage and ? intelligence (!) than you do.

Therefore, as people we do NOT have the capacity to hold as much information as your smartphone or Siri. Think about that. That humbles me.

4. Treasure your Family.

Sounds corny - it is not. There will be times when you hate one another and that's ok for a short while. Blood truly is thicker than water. Do not cling. Support one another as needed and love unconditionally. Call often even to voicemail and say I LOVE YOU a LOT. One day you might regret words never said – “Why did I not tell him or her that I care?” THAT lasts forever.

5. Never brag. Never preach. Never Beg.

That is the one way you will alienate all people forever and cause a Twitterstorm bar none, for the rest of your days. So, the adage "never a borrower or a lender be" holds true be it in bitcoin or Cashapp. Or gossip. Take responsibility for everything that you do as well as for whatever you chose to ignore. Pay your own way. You will be appreciated at worst and revered at best.

6. Careful what you wish for. Everyone is listening.

Social media is how our digital tracks last forever. That speaks for itself, and I shall not say another word. The www, like divorce, lasts forever. Thank you, Woody Allen for that line. Social media is the most popular form of News for most people on this planet. If you want to broadcast that you love someone or hate someone or that you look great with whiskers and a tail, go ahead. People will believe you. Young. Old. Particularly if there is a "share" option. Be careful what you wish for.

7. Laugh and Love your way through Life.

(Anther corny one but as I am old, I do require your indulgence)

If you have trouble finding anything to laugh about just see how ridiculous we all look right now or imagine your boss naked. Laughter is truly the best medicine and so is love. The latter is unconditional and requires nothing more than a touch, a tone of voice or a Happy Meal now and again. It is EASY - we make it hard.

8. Forget the Dogma and questions which others say online and offline. It's BS. Use your 1 gig well. Think original thoughts. Be the BEST.

Another unpopular topic. The web tells all but is misinterpreted by many. I helped make it, so I do know what I am talking about. There are some mean people there. They are outnumbered by those who do good. Occasionally. Be one of the latter. BTW I am NOT bragging. I regret it. Do not preach nor gossip maliciously or at all. It hurts other people. Do you want to hurt others? Seems as if we all do. That truly is low. Stop it.

9. Don't waste your life living the Dreams of Other People. (Who said cats do not dream. They do!)

Live life the way you chose to. Just don't be horribly naive and follow the pack. Dream big and follow your heart. Live your dreams as much as you can. Set goals and aim for the stars. Or another planet. Or study more, become a person of worth for their worth “is greater than rubies” (Bible – Old Testament) Not preaching. I am using this purely to express my point. Do not push your personal beliefs whether they are in the majority or not.

10. Get offline and breathe good air wherever you can find it, but beware of Covid. It is not leaving.

Neither will the angry and confused people who remain on this earth. They are not wise. Perhaps they will be once they stopped being so pissed off. Now? Hell no. Not in the USA at least.

We spend most days and nights talking via machines, on them and through them. Our kids learned to do that by age 2. Leave the phone at home. Turn off the computers. Try running. Learn a sport to rid yourself of angst. Read a book. Play guitar. Sing. Shout at no one and everyone when no one can hear you – outside. It's safe and healthy. Do not forget to play with your children. It’s reciprocal. Have fun with your loved ones because they are extensions of YOU. Love your husband, your partner, wife, and your friends through good AND bad times. Please do not leave just because you cannot or will not understand their needs. That is plain wrong.

YES - your kids are always going to drive you insane. That’s life.

You will find out that being a child again with wide eyed wonder is not new. It is sadly missed.

BTW If you look up. that is my son Michael who was killed a few years ago. He was not driving and that is not a joke. It is true.

PS. I forgot this. In life NO ONE owes you ANYTHING. You must struggle and fight like hell 1000% of the time 365 days a year, no matter who you are or how entitled you may be. Wherever you are as well as in everything you do. Make your life matter. Leave footprints. YOU MATTER. Get out there and TAKE IT. Live your dreams. Stop talking and start DOING.

Please do not be a passive observer. There is no triumph and no joy in that.

Thank you. Please shut the door quietly as you leave.