Things I would tell the younger me

   Yesterday was the 31^st anniversary of my 21^st birthday (I turned 56). Today I sit at my 2^nd office (Starbucks) and have been contemplating things I have learned about life. And I pondered this question: If I could teach some things to the younger me, what would they be? I made a list of some things I’ve learned, some the hard way, and wish I’d have known them earlier in life.

•      While I regret some of the things I did when I was younger —there are many things I regret I didn’t do.
•      Good friends are one of life’s necessities; right up there with Mexican food and pizza.
•      Just because I might look “old” to someone in their 20’s, doesn’t mean I have to act in a way that proves what they think about me is true.
•      Saying "No" or “Sorry, I’m too busy” is okay.
•      You’ll never regret going out of your way to brighten someone’s day.
•      Stop worrying about what everyone else thinks. You just be you.
•      Anything I need to know about living life well can be learned from a dog. Loyalty. Forgiveness. Unconditional Love. Pure Joy. Excitement about the same exact meal every single day.
•      My life is a book. Chapters end, and new ones begin. It’s not about one singular event but rather the overall story being told. Sometimes I wanted some chapters to end too fast, instead of savoring the moment. Sometimes I have let chapters drag on when I should have stopped and started a new one. But my goal should be to write each chapter so the story just gets better and better.
•      It is a thousand times more difficult to burn calories than to refrain from consuming them in the first place.
•      Every passing face on the street has a story to tell. And their life represents a story every bit as compelling and complicated as yours.
•      Words are immensely powerful. One cruel remark can wound someone for life.
•      Wishing things were different is a great way to torture yourself.
•      Either you control your attitude or it controls you. 
•      Time is the most valuable currency i possess. 
•      Life is more about the journey and less about the destination.
•      Some people leave this world far too soon. 

What are some things you’d tell your younger self?