27 in 27

So, let's start with a disclaimer: I am no model citizen, philosopher, wise old man or teacher. I've not written any books or experienced any fame (my 15 minutes may have been 195k views on tiktok). I'm actually pretty average. 5'8 3/4" (no one will give me the 1/4” so I’m not taking the 3/4” away) 165 lb white male with brown hair, blue eyes and a beard. I took 6 years in college (2 degrees, tyvm) and will probably not refer to anything I learned in a classroom here.

What I have made sure to do in the short time I've been here is make every situation I can unique. Whether it be to myself or to a group, there's always a way to add spice to life and i suppose that's what this list will be.

1). Spice. Hot sauce makes everything better, get some habanero's in your life.

2). That feeling of flying down the steepest hill in your neighborhood on the back pegs of your bike? Chase that rush every day. Approach every task w the balls it took to get your legs off the pedals at terminal velocity.

3). Always use your strengths to compliment your weaknesses, not hide them.

4). Beat yourself yesterday, today. There's no point in dwelling on prior losses. Make up for it and exceed your own and others' expectations.

5). Become honest with yourself. "I am a procrastinator. I am an overthinker.. I am not going to make the PGA tour playing twice a week and not going to the range." etc

6). History is important, but there’s a lot of it. So become an expert on something that isn’t WWII and scratch a couple events on the surface back to the pyramids so you can spice up casual convo.

7). Your friends and siblings are great to talk to, but they have your best intentions at heart. Don’t overburden them w your emotional toils, go to therapy and get that unbiased perspective.

8). Any time after 7:00 is too late for a table reservation. Employees start cleaning up and that noise alone ruins the experience.

9). Hobbies are important. You can't just wake up, work, gym, TV yourself until you die. It's unfulfilling. Learn to play an instrument, make memes (love Bazaart for photoshop), learn to cook exotic foods, do what interests you.

10). Every stranger has something new to teach you. I've had enlightening conversations at an airport bar and with secretaries. If they don't teach you, you were meant to teach them.

11). Take a stand in person if someone disrespects you. Make it known how you feel and squash it there or remember how they treated you from there on out.

12). Ask her how. You’re trying to solve a puzzle she solves 4+ times a week. What you did before probably won’t work.

13). Signs from the universe are real. Fortune cookies can mean something. 13 is unlucky. Seeing a cardinal means a deceased loved one is watching over you. Believe in them when they’re shown to you

14). Walk through life unbothered. Sit in the pool in the pouring down rain. Take a minute (or week) to yourself and do what you want to do, regardless of how odd it is viewed by others.

15). Passion is important. Fall in love with your football team and let the outcome of their game determine your mood for the next few days.

16). Learn to cook 5 meals. Become a master at those 5 meals. Make them the best 5 meals ever cooked by humans. Then, after you've mastered them, throw in variations.

17). Don't get a girlfriend in High School. Let your friends do that and avoid the drama but show up to the parties.

18). Get a girlfriend in college. At least one. Long distance sucks, but on campus you really get to see if someone can handle you at your worst attempt at being an adult. And vice versa. Use the experience to find what you don't like.

19). Get a house in college and don't give a fuck about your security deposit. Throw some bangers, spend every cent you get at your minimum wage job and local plasma donation center on alcohol and themed parties. Money doesn't count for a few more years just don't go past cash on hand.

20). Only join Greek life if you want to be top dog. Climb the ladder and prove to yourself that you can lead others. And if you fail, you only know what not to do next time.

21). When you move cities, find a hole in the wall and make it yours. Know the bartender by name and the regulars. The variation from the home, club, and night scene is necessary for growth.

22). Don’t leave anything on the table. You will never be in the same situation, with the same people, having the same conversation twice. If your gut tells you to act, ACT.

23). Be good at sitting down. Take a break, watch the clouds and smell the roses. Life is fast, appreciate the moments of calm and still more actively.

24). Give the friends you really care about printed photos. They will go right on the fridge.

25). Snapchat is just another way to be annoying.

26). We have about 65 hours between works end Friday and works start Monday. That time is purely yours, it's too short, and you shouldn't waste a second.

27). Get fucking jacked. We fight gravity every day, make it harder for an hour to make it easier for a lifetime. Plus you like looking at your fine ass self in every reflective surface you pass.

I'm horrible at conclusions, but hopefully this will help you get to a good point in your life where being honest with yourself is a positive experience. Best of luck, keep pushing forward and use your time wisely.