Sunscreen (My Version)

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of [current year]. Wear sunscreen…. If I could offer you one tip for the future sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been scientifically proven whereas the only basis for my advice is my own meandering experience. I shall dispense this advice…. now!

Stay young at heart. Old people believe that the world is the way it is and nothing can change it whereas the young know that is not true. A young person sees the world as full of endless possibilities. Bad things are changeable not acceptable. Remember that when you start feeling “set in your ways,” it means you’re getting old

Take care of your heart. Not only physically but emotionally as well, your heart is the one muscle that never stops working. A bad relationship can hurt just as much as heartburn. If either lasts too long you should consider seeing a doctor.

Don’t be rude, mean, or angry towards people. Don’t say things to purposely hurt somebody. You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat their subordinates, not their peers. People may win respect by fear, but they will never win hearts

Respect your elders and those who are in authority, but don’t follow them blindly. Listen to their words, but make sure you understand what they mean. Never do something ONLY because someone “told you to.”

Do something that scares you. Maybe you’ll find out that you actually enjoy it, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll pick up a new hobby, maybe you won’t. But one thing is for sure…. it won’t scare you anymore

Travel as much as you can. Dance…. for no reason. Keep your teeth clean and healthy. Run through a field…. and admire the flowers as you do. Don’t be selfish. Laugh…. even if you don’t feel like it. Watch the original “Twelve Angry Men” movie. Hike up a mountain…. and make sure to enjoy the view as you climb. Sing along to your favorite songs, even if you’re off-key.

Don’t berate yourself too much for your mistakes. This is the one bit of advice many people wish they had learned early in life, as it often leads to regrets later. If you have regrets about mistakes you made, instead of beating yourself up about it, use it as a reminder to avoid making the same mistake in the future. Your past is an excellent teacher if you learn from it and don’t let it control you (if you succeed in doing this, let me know how).

Don’t worry if you don’t have your life planned out. It’s impossible to plan for something that always changes. Life has a way of taking our plans, tearing them up, and then giving us something completely different. Be willing to change because if you don’t…. life will change you.

Don’t take this advice just because I give it. You are free to take or reject any advice ever given to you. Usually, the people who give advice rarely follow it themselves. People may speak from experience or just say what they think you want to hear. So always keep that in mind…. But trust me about the sunscreen