Post by richardkelsey on Apr 23, 2008 12:50:18 GMT -5
In 2005, I wrote the following as a High School graduation present to two nephews. I am sure they both wished for money!
The piece was not saved by me, but fortunately was recovered by a family member.
Drive Carefully
by Rich Kelsey
Welcome to the rest of your lives. Buckle-up your seat belts -- or not. Put your tray in the upright position -- or don't. Follow the rules, or break them -- or make them.
You are at the wheel of life -- and your family is now riding shotgun. Where are you headed? Don't know? Now might be a good time to think about it -- as this ride is not optional. Having survived the foolishness of youth, and with High School in the rear-view mirror, this trip will pick up speed and intensity.
Here's a map and some tips for you to consult just in case you make a wrong turn or two.
Pick a destination; the choices you are making right now will impact the ride. Choose wisely. Seek advice. Avoid the path of least resistance, as its destination is one of regret.
Embrace challenges.
Confront your fears and self-doubt. Beat them both through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication.
Never let yourself be defined by others. Never ignore criticism for fear that it contains truth. The sting of any rebuke, it is said, is found in the truth contained therein. Strive to do better, be better, find better and want better. And, when you think you have found enlightenment, be sure of only one thing, you have not. Education and wisdom are lifelong endeavors. The first is gained through hard work and an open mind, the second through experience and the willingness to see one's own errors and correct them.
Help others. Help others when no one else is watching. Help others for them, not for you. Help others for them -- and you will benefit.
Be confident -- but not arrogant. Be right -- but not afraid to admit you are wrong. Measure success not by what you think of yourself, but by what others think of you. Never take time to measure your success, and you may find that you have, in fact, succeeded.
Be humble. Share credit.
Honor yourself and your name.
Never lose your passion. Never be afraid to be wrong. Never be afraid to speak up -- for yourself and for others whose voices cannot be heard. Speak well, and be heard. Speak foolishly, and be ignored. Fail to speak, and be irrelevant.
Ask questions. Demand answers. Demand smart, reasoned, logical answers. Demand proof of those answers. Think critically, but don't be too critical of others' thinking.
Do the right thing, particularly when it is hard.
Follow if you know not the route. Lead when others are lost.
Learn ... everything you can.
Education is the key to determining one's liberty. It is not only crucial to economic liberty, but it is also the key to opening options for years to come, socially, economically, and intellectually.
Along the way, if one is truly smart, he or she will come to understand that it is the acquisition of knowledge that is empowering. Wealth and possessions only help one enjoy a life worth living.
Life teaches millions of lessons, some are learned cheaply, and others at great cost. While it is never too late to take the right road, the trip is less arduous if planned properly and navigated correctly from the beginning. Don't waste time finding yourself. For if you do -- you may find yourself disadvantaged.
Take the praise. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back. Now get back to work.
The trip of your life may be long or short -- but the quality of the ride is entirely your choice. Choose well -- for it is your responsibility.
Drive carefully, as other lives may depend on it too. Share the trip, but don't force others to drive.
Rest when you must -- but don't sleep through the whole ride.
Watch the road -- but not at the expense of the view. Tap the dash to the beat of your music, but listen for the sounds of traffic.
Be alert. Don't drive drunk.
Don't let others in who only seek to distract you.
Don't just idle -- ever. Park and visit with others, as the trip is not meant to be solo.
Always make sure children are secure in their seats, comfortable, well fed, and well cared for. They are counting on you to teach them to drive too.
Maintain your vehicle. Use premium and expect good results.
Stop and ask for directions, life is too short to circle aimlessly.
Enjoy the trip.
If you get stuck anywhere, your family will come out and give a hand. Call them -- whenever.
When the ride nears its end, reflect on the trip.
If you have chosen wisely, you will rest peacefully from the journey. If you lose these instructions, or ignore them, choosing instead a cartographer's nightmare of endless one way streets and dead ends, you will regret the whole trip -- or worse, it may end abruptly.
Drive carefully -- the final destination is pre-ordained, but the route is yours to choose, as is the company with whom you travel and the manner in which you ride.
The piece was not saved by me, but fortunately was recovered by a family member.
Drive Carefully
by Rich Kelsey
Welcome to the rest of your lives. Buckle-up your seat belts -- or not. Put your tray in the upright position -- or don't. Follow the rules, or break them -- or make them.
You are at the wheel of life -- and your family is now riding shotgun. Where are you headed? Don't know? Now might be a good time to think about it -- as this ride is not optional. Having survived the foolishness of youth, and with High School in the rear-view mirror, this trip will pick up speed and intensity.
Here's a map and some tips for you to consult just in case you make a wrong turn or two.
Pick a destination; the choices you are making right now will impact the ride. Choose wisely. Seek advice. Avoid the path of least resistance, as its destination is one of regret.
Embrace challenges.
Confront your fears and self-doubt. Beat them both through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication.
Never let yourself be defined by others. Never ignore criticism for fear that it contains truth. The sting of any rebuke, it is said, is found in the truth contained therein. Strive to do better, be better, find better and want better. And, when you think you have found enlightenment, be sure of only one thing, you have not. Education and wisdom are lifelong endeavors. The first is gained through hard work and an open mind, the second through experience and the willingness to see one's own errors and correct them.
Help others. Help others when no one else is watching. Help others for them, not for you. Help others for them -- and you will benefit.
Be confident -- but not arrogant. Be right -- but not afraid to admit you are wrong. Measure success not by what you think of yourself, but by what others think of you. Never take time to measure your success, and you may find that you have, in fact, succeeded.
Be humble. Share credit.
Honor yourself and your name.
Never lose your passion. Never be afraid to be wrong. Never be afraid to speak up -- for yourself and for others whose voices cannot be heard. Speak well, and be heard. Speak foolishly, and be ignored. Fail to speak, and be irrelevant.
Ask questions. Demand answers. Demand smart, reasoned, logical answers. Demand proof of those answers. Think critically, but don't be too critical of others' thinking.
Do the right thing, particularly when it is hard.
Follow if you know not the route. Lead when others are lost.
Learn ... everything you can.
Education is the key to determining one's liberty. It is not only crucial to economic liberty, but it is also the key to opening options for years to come, socially, economically, and intellectually.
Along the way, if one is truly smart, he or she will come to understand that it is the acquisition of knowledge that is empowering. Wealth and possessions only help one enjoy a life worth living.
Life teaches millions of lessons, some are learned cheaply, and others at great cost. While it is never too late to take the right road, the trip is less arduous if planned properly and navigated correctly from the beginning. Don't waste time finding yourself. For if you do -- you may find yourself disadvantaged.
Take the praise. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back. Now get back to work.
The trip of your life may be long or short -- but the quality of the ride is entirely your choice. Choose well -- for it is your responsibility.
Drive carefully, as other lives may depend on it too. Share the trip, but don't force others to drive.
Rest when you must -- but don't sleep through the whole ride.
Watch the road -- but not at the expense of the view. Tap the dash to the beat of your music, but listen for the sounds of traffic.
Be alert. Don't drive drunk.
Don't let others in who only seek to distract you.
Don't just idle -- ever. Park and visit with others, as the trip is not meant to be solo.
Always make sure children are secure in their seats, comfortable, well fed, and well cared for. They are counting on you to teach them to drive too.
Maintain your vehicle. Use premium and expect good results.
Stop and ask for directions, life is too short to circle aimlessly.
Enjoy the trip.
If you get stuck anywhere, your family will come out and give a hand. Call them -- whenever.
When the ride nears its end, reflect on the trip.
If you have chosen wisely, you will rest peacefully from the journey. If you lose these instructions, or ignore them, choosing instead a cartographer's nightmare of endless one way streets and dead ends, you will regret the whole trip -- or worse, it may end abruptly.
Drive carefully -- the final destination is pre-ordained, but the route is yours to choose, as is the company with whom you travel and the manner in which you ride.