In which our hero reiterates the important things in life to his sons, and you dear reader, in ten reminders.
- I spent decades punishing myself for things I didn’t do, or did when I didn’t know better. I lost most of my life to shame, guilt, remorse, fear, depression, and anxiety. Don’t do that. It erases your present and takes away your future.
- Another lesson I didn’t learn until too late was if something’s out of my hands, it should be out of my mind. I can’t begin to guess how many hours I lost to chewing over old hurts or worrying about things I could never control.
- I spent most of my life overestimating my problems and underestimating my capabilities. I let my insecurities deprive me of my dreams. Don’t do that either. Regret is like shame in that they both weigh on your mind and crush your soul.
- Because I didn’t tell my brain what to do, it did what it wanted. It couldn’t stay empty, I didn’t fill it with curiosity and gratitude, so it filled itself with fear, negative thoughts, and illness.
- Love is effortless. Marriage is work. Loveless marriage is valueless. A loving marriage is priceless. I never regretted working to make my marriage better.
- Fear ruined my life for decades. Fear comes from ignorance. Learn as much as you can so you fear as little as you can.
- My mind was programmed to see only the negative in everything. I hope I’ve taught you to see there’s also positive in everything.
- I love you.
- All the shit I survived made me stronger so I could pick myself up. Use your strength to lift people when they’ve fallen. That’s what it’s for.
- Whenever I’ve wanted to quit, I couldn’t because someone believed in me. Find someone who believes in you. You’ll be amazed at how hard you’ll be prepared to work.