The World as Advice: What I Wish I Knew Sooner

Well, listen up, young’uns. If there’s one thing this old woman’s learned, it’s that life ain’t no picnic. It’s more like a cornfield – gotta work hard to get anything good outta it. So, lemme tell ya a thing or two, stuff I wish someone had told me when I was still green behind the ears.

First off, don’t you go thinkin’ them lazy good-for-nothings are gonna change. You got someone causin’ trouble, stirrin’ the pot? Get rid of ’em, quick! It’s like havin’ a rotten apple in the barrel – gonna spoil the whole bunch. Trust me, findin’ good folks to work with ain’t as hard as findin’ a needle in a haystack. You’ll know ’em when you see ‘em, like a ripe watermelon in the field. Don’t waste your time on folks that ain’t worth it.

• Get yourself right first. Love yourself, wrinkles and all. You ain’t gonna be happy with anyone else if you ain’t happy with yourself. It’s like tryin’ to fill a leaky bucket – no matter how much you pour in, it just keeps drainin’ out.
• And another thing, you don’t owe nobody no explanation. Don’t go around blabberin’ about your business to every Tom, Dick, and Harry. Keep your mouth shut, do what you gotta do. Like that queen lady used to say, “Never complain, never explain.” That’s good advice, right there.

Now, I ain’t no scholar, but I’ve seen a thing or two. This here life, it’s a long road, full of bumps and potholes. There’s gonna be times you feel like you’re stuck in the mud, wheels spinnin’ and gettin’ nowhere. But you gotta keep on pushin’, keep on movin’ forward.

Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if you fall flat on your face. You ain’t gonna learn nothin’ by sittin’ on the porch swing all day. Gotta get your hands dirty, gotta take some chances. It’s like plantin’ seeds – some will sprout, some won’t, but you ain’t gonna get no harvest if you don’t plant nothin’ at all.

And for goodness sake, be kind to folks. It don’t cost nothin’ to be polite, to lend a helping hand. We’re all in this together, this crazy thing called life. Treat others the way you wanna be treated, that’s what my mama always said. It’s as simple as that.

Learn to say “no”. Don’t go around agreein’ to everything just to please folks. You ain’t a doormat, you’re a person. Got your own mind, got your own opinions. Speak up, stand up for what you believe in. It ain’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.

Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up. Enjoy the little things, the sunshine on your face, the smell of fresh-cut grass, the laughter of children. These are the things that matter, the things you’ll remember when you’re old and gray like me. Time slips away like sand through your fingers, so hold on tight to the good moments.

And last but not least, don’t take yourself too seriously. Life’s too short to be fussin’ and frettin’ all the time. Laugh a little, have some fun. Don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself every now and then. It keeps you young, keeps you alive. That’s the gospel truth, I tell ya.

There’s a whole heap of things I wish I’d known sooner, but that’s just how it goes. You live and you learn, and hopefully, you don’t make the same mistakes twice. But even if you do, well, dust yourself off and try again. That’s the best advice I can give ya.

Tags: [life advice, wisdom, self-improvement, happiness, relationships, personal growth, life lessons]