It is unbecoming for young men to utter maxims. — Aristotle
Learned, that is, after having them repeatedly beaten into my head the hard way.
The first key needs little explanation. Do your homework; practice; and do so while time is not yet critical.
As for the second: a success only comes after a million failures. Or, as they say to us in engineering design classes: You won't get it right the first time.
"Do you ever do awful stuff?"
"Probably more of it than any other architect and with less excuse. The only distinction I can claim is that my botches end up in my own wastebasket."
(From The Fountainhead)
Why did they reject you from grad school, or not give you the role you obviously deserved? Why did that wonderful girl turn you down?
To quote a wise man, failure is an event, not a person. Figure out if there's anything to be learned from a failure, then move on and try again. Often in the case of rejection it's just a roll of the dice or a person's subjective preferences, which is why persistence is so important. There will be more schools, more shows, more girls.
This, serenity and persistence in the face of repeated failure, is one of the marks of a truly mature individual.
In addition to obvious things like hygiene, there are some activities that should be incorporated into the daily routine: exercise (particularly running), reading something good, doing productive work, enjoying a work of art, eating healthy food, etc. These, perhaps more than anything else, result in a high quality of life.
Literature, visual art, music, theater, film; these are sustenance for the soul. Find the best thereof and devour them.
Surround yourself with beauty; forego the tripe. I have certainly found this to be easier said than done, but the psychological payoff is enormous.
For the same reasons, but it's a lot more complicated, of course.
It's taken me too long to appreciate how much people have to offer: how interesting, helpful, and kind they can be given the right circumstances. The challenge is bringing out the best in them, and yourself.
Language and thought are inseparable. You should express your thoughts precisely and concisely in all media (even AIM).
Many headaches later...
And finally...
Because you may not care about your mind and body today, but you will tomorrow.
Last update: 23 February 2005