Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen
Ladies and gentleman of the class of 99: wear sunscreen
If I could offer you, only one tip for the future
Sunscreen would be it
The 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
Never mind
You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth
Until they fade it
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 that know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an
Algebra equation by chewing bubble gum
The real troubles in your life, are actually things that never cross your
worried mind
The kind that blindsights at 4pm on some idle Tuesday
Do one thing, everyday that scares you
Sing
Don't be reckless with other peoples hearts
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours
Floss
Don't waste your time on jealousy
Sometimes your ahead, sometime 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
What ever 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 everywhere 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 in 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 you're best link to your past
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future
Understand that friends come and go
But for the precious few you should hold on
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle
`cos 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 older
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'll have a trust fund
Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse
But you'll never know when either might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair
Or by the time you're 40, it'll look 85
Be careful whose advice you buy
But be patient with those that 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.
|
