Babak

You belong everywhere

The age you are at right now is something you will want back in about ten years.
Try and be less reserved.

Be bold now. Tell her you’ve got a crush, or had a crush, and if they make the right face then you still have that crush. It’s OK. She won’t stab your face.

This is a neat time, the age of exploration.
I was a desperate explorer.
I am talking exploring limits and setting your boundaries. I am talking about toilet papering someone’s house you love. Ding dong ditching the mayor.
Take a lawn gnome hostage but not chopping it into dust, boundaries.
The parents will forgive you. The cops will forget you.

Get a journal. You should document this era because the upcoming changes are shocking. Maybe journal it all because you will forget. The future will seem so different.
You’re not a dork. But you’ll think that. It’s OK. This will give you the rush of humility.
This is good.

College is not a passport to success. A passport is not a passport to success.
Delaying self-gratification is.
Learn how to not want it now.

You’re working and there is honor in labor.
There are jobs out there you don’t have to hate. You will hate your first few jobs.
Pretend it’s a game. Pretend you love hardship.
“You want me to stay and extra hour? How about two hours!”
Make sure you collect your overtime. Write stuff down.

Let’s not be scared about the future.
Let’s be scared about our bodies getting even wonkier and weirder.

It is as hard to forget the bad stuff as it is to remember the good stuff.
You will forget a lot about this time. Remember the hallway make outs.
Forget the wedgies. Most bullies end up on CourtTV anyway.

Forget all that crap about the journey not the destination.
Learn how to meet good people, try and remember their names and treat them well.
Die happy if you die surrounded.

Really cool people don’t know they are cool.

Some people will try to kick your face in. Know when to kick back and know when to tell your friends you punched someone’s foot with your face.

Even drug dealers think users are annoying.

Don’t think about sex more than you have to. Your parents think you don’t ever touch anybody.

Learn something every year or your mind will die at a television altar.

If your friend gets cancer treatment, shave your head.

18-21 is a massive change. So is 21-25. Fall in a true love around 25.
Date and learn about what you need before that. Kiss with all your might.

Tell strangers nice things about their eyes or clothes. You will change their day.

Some people are drawn to drama. You are not community theater.
Fire the actors from your life. Just because you know someone doesn’t mean you owe them anything. Especially if they’re a tool.

Ladies. Tell men exactly what you want. They are simple creatures.
They do not read into things. Take him to dinner.
Gentlemen. Tell her how you feel a lot. Notice details about her and say you noticed it. Ask questions and just listen and hold. Plan things.
You still might get it wrong.

Chicks are weird until about 24, 25. Chicks on the wrong birth control or Xanax are even weirder. Trust me on this.

Realize that guilt has guided very smart people in the wrong direction.

Imagine what it is like raising kids. Know that it’s hard. Let your parents know you know this. They may cry. Being alive is expensive and they wanted you more than those fancy romantic vacations. This should make you feel good.

Somewhere, someone is desperate.

Some people aren’t very good at laughing. They will be mad at you.
Wonder how they got that way and keep laughing. Maybe not in their face. No one loves a spittle spaz.

Ask old people how they’re doing. The answer will be long. This will help you slow down.

Getting lost should be seen as a sweet chance to be found.


Remember, you belong everywhere.

- Derrick C. Brown

“Life’s a yearbook, never get a re-take/

And all the good times gone faster than a speed date”

-Hoodie Allen - “Don’t Look Down”