Life happens faster than we think. I remember countless times my dad telling me “you’ll be a grown up soon enough, enjoy being a kid.” Of course I wanted nothing to do with what he said. I wanted to be GROWN. But here I am now, a “grown” woman, with five kids, reiterating the same message to my children.
Why is it that we hesitate to listen to the wisdom of our parents or other generations? Is it honestly because we think we know better? Or is this some sort of evolutionary thing that we have to ignore the wisdom to create our own. Just to then try to pass it on, only to be ignored (lol)
This song played this morning on the radio and I was in awe because it is a capsule of generational wisdom and depicts a season to come.
“Wear sunscreen”
… If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it
A long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
Than my own meandering experience, I will dispense this advice now
… Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh, never mind
You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth
Until they’ve faded, but trust me, in 20 years, you’ll look back
At photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now
How much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked
You are not as fat as you imagine
… Don’t worry about the future
Or worry, but know that worrying
Is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing Bubble gum
The real troubles in your life
Are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind
The kind that blindsides you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday
Do one thing every day that scares you
… Saying, don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts
Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours
… Floss
… Don’t waste your time on jealousy
Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind
The race is long and in the end, it’s only with yourself
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements
… Stretch
… Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life
The most interesting people I know
Didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don’t
Get plenty of calcium
Be kind to your knees
You’ll miss them when they’re gone
… Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t
Maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t
Maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the ‘Funky Chicken’
On your 75th wedding anniversary
Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much
Or berate yourself either
Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s
… Enjoy your body, use it every way you can
Don’t be afraid of it or what other people think of it
It’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room
Read the directions even if you don’t follow them
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly
… Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good
Be nice to your siblings, they’re your best link to your past
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future
… Understand that friends come and go
But a precious few, who should hold on
… Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle
For as the older you get
The more you need the people you knew when you were young
Live in New York City once but leave before it makes you hard
Live in northern California once but leave before it makes you soft
… Travel
… Accept certain inalienable truths
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too, will get old
And when you do, you’ll fantasize that when you were young
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble
And children respected their elders
… Respect your elders
… Don’t expect anyone else to support you
Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you’ll have a wealthy spouse
But you never know when either one might run out
… Don’t mess too much with your hair
Or by the time you’re 40 it will look 85
… Be careful whose advice you buy but be patient with those who supply it
Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past
From the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts
And recycling it for more than it’s worth
… But trust me on the sunscreen
Perspective. Life. Wisdom.
Life today is so complicated. This song does an amazing job of breaking down the simplicities of life and the lessons you can learn.
Share this with you children and see how they respond. Don’t be shocked if you get a super eye roll. It’s worth a listen for any child before they’re 18.
What did you take away from this song?
xx A mother who is trying to simplify life.
