Two Fundamental Truths

Lots of things are true. These two stand out.

1. You Have Sole Responsibility for You.

We're visitors on this great planet Earth. Life as we know it is temporary, so it's best to consider yourself a steward, not an owner, and remember that you’re responsible for your own life.  You came into this world alone and you’ll leave alone, and your mind and body are the only ones you’ll get. Best to take good care of them.    If you’re lucky, you’ll love and be loved, and have many friends. If you do, be grateful for them and nurture them. But in the end, your life is a gift that belongs only to you. 

Your happiness is yours to seek, your success yours to achieve, and your peace yours to find. 

It’s best not to count on anyone but yourself and your God, and remember that no one owes you anything.   Not your parents, not the government, not your friends or neighbors or employers.  No one.  This may seem harsh, and the truth is that you’ll almost certainly have people who want good things for you, root for you and support you, but don’t expect it or make the mistake of thinking anyone but you is responsible for you.

2.  The One Constant in Life is Change.

From your first breath to your last, the one constant in your life will be your relationship with change.  You’ll feel its constant presence sometimes and be completely oblivious to it at others, but it will always be part of your life.   There will be times, hopefully many, when it takes you to the heights of happiness and you'll welcome it like your best friend. But unfortunately there will be others when it leads to feelings of loss or despair.  The best advice is to get to know change and how it works, learn the dance, and lead as often as you can, knowing that it will be impossible to lead all the time, because change won't let you. It's sneaky that way.   The good news is that change just is, and it's benign.   The bad news is that good or bad, it always wins.