Advice For My Unborn Son

1. Just because everyone tells you can't, shouldn't, do something because it's hard, etc., does not mean you should not try.  Always give it a go if you want to, but let the decision be yours.Be who you want to be, and don't allow anyone else to shape that image for you.
2. Be proud of who you are, where you came from, and where you're going, and do be afraid to tell people about it.
3. Confidence is key in life.  The more confidence you have the more you will accomplish in life.  Even if you're just pretending, don't tell anyone, because it's more than most people can muster.
4. Be polite, it will get you far in life.
5. Be stern, when necessary, it will get you far in life.
6. All things in moderation, especially: food, women, drinks, homework, studying, partying, and the list goes on.
7. Always read, don't ever stop.  One day you'll thank me for making you read.
8. Don't be afraid of the dark.  (Metaphorically and literally.)
9. Repeating yourself is okay, sometimes.  I'm sure I'll do it plenty in this.
10. Learn the cultures of the world.  It will broaden your eyes.
11. Enjoy life for the experiences it has to offer, search them out and be greedy for them.
12. Always keep an interest in yourself, your family, and your friends, because those are the only ones that really matter.
13. To help the world, you first have to help yourself by limiting your own desires.
14. Keep dreaming, keep your imagination young.
15. Don't be afraid to live, laugh, and love, they are the three best verbs in the whole world.
16. I love you and I don't even know you, and that is okay, not everything makes sense in this world.
17. Life is unfair.
18. Always get yourself the advantage.
19. You can't help anyone by giving away everything you own, or if your poor.  So, first help yourself and get yourself to a position to help everyone else.
20. Stand by your morals and your word.
21. Your word should be your bond.
22. Be careful of how you reply to a request, look above.
23. When someone asks a favor of you, consider a few things: What? When? How? Why? What benefit does it do me?  What does it benefit you?  You can partially waive the last three for family and good friends.
24. Tell people what you want, need, hate, or dislike.  That's the only way anyone will know, they can't read your mind.
25. When people know what you want, they will give it to you.
26. Always have an opinion, but you don't always have to share it.  ( I should take my own advice on this one.)
27. When your stuck between a rock and a hard place, look both directions, left and right.  There is always a choice, especially if you just choose to go up over the rock, or just sit down and sulk in your own mess.
28. Remember, there is ALWAYS a choice, it's just a matter of whether you can accept the consequences.
29. Tell the people you love you love them, often, you can't say it enough.
30. Kiss your woman when you see her, when you leave her, and as often as you want in between, it's unlikely you'll ever get any complaints and definitely compliments.
31. There is a time to be gentle and a time to be rough, choose accordingly.
32. Don't be so open minded that you become close minded.
33. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, that doesn't mean you have to agree with them, but you can accept that they have an opinion.
34. Don't be a pansy.
35. Do your best to avoid fights, but when  guy starts pushing you, you have my permission to hit him back.
36. You protect your family.
37. You protect your friends.
38. You protect the weak and the unfortunate.
39. Pity is not needed in this world, only compassion and a helping hand.
40. The golden rule is key: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
41. Keep your faith, it will get you through the hard times.
42. If you do not keep your faith, respect those who do.
43. Your family comes before everything.  If they really do love you though, they won't let themselves come between you and your dreams.
44. Always encourage people to follow their dreams.
45. You'll be happiest if you do what you want.
46. Sometimes you're going to have to do what you don't want to do, suck it up.
47. Procrastination may be nice in the beginning, but it sucks in the end.  (This is me procrastinating.)
48. Procrastination stems from three things: fear, disinterest, and inertia.  Figure out which one is stopping you, and then realize that it is stupid and get to work.
49. From Mark Twain: "I'll never let my schooling get in the way of my education."
50. Virgil, "Fortune favors the bold."
51. The world will be your teacher.
52. Smile often and laugh proudly.
53. It's okay to be stupid every once in a while.
54. Repeat: All things in moderation.
55. High school won't be the best years of your life.  They will be what you make of them.
56. Every day is yours for the taking or trashing.
57. You can do anything you want, it's just up to you to do it.
58. Repeat: Don't be a pansy.
59. I won't always be right, in your opinion, but I'm doing what I think is best for you.  You should respect that, but it's okay to disagree.  Just make sure your respectful about it, and you are thoughtful when you tell me.  Otherwise I'll just get pissed and ground you.
60. I'll give you a beating if you don't listen, but I'll explain why.  Now don't repeat and I won't repeat.
61. Don't F off in school, you'll regret it, trust me.
62. Listen to Warren Zevon, especially the Excitable Boy Album.
63. Smile, often, constantly.
64. Laugh, often, constantly.
65. You can never not buy flowers for her on Valentine's Day.  But, do yourself a favor and give them to her in person.  At least this way you'll get the kiss and the smiles, rather than the delivery boy.
66. Take care of your shoes, girls look at them first.
67. Take care of your face, girls usually look there second.
68. Scars are okay, they tell your story.
69. Listen and look for the little clues to a person's mood or personality, don't ruin a high without good reason, ignore the lows and laugh anyways (but not always, use your brain).
70. The phone works both ways, so just because someone doesn't call you, doesn't mean you can't call them.
71. Learn to cook at least one good meal, it can never hurt, and is always nice to be able to say you can.
72. Find passion, ride that passion.
73. Talk to everyone, every day, say hi, smile.  The world has enough sad people in it, don't add to it.
74. Don't just settle for an okay girl, keep those standards up and demand that you get the best for you, but remember, you've got to be worthy.  If she spends two hours getting ready, why can't you spend 30 minutes?
75. Be on time.  Respect time.  Be aware of time.  It's the only commodity you have and that you will waste the most.  (Advice to myself.)