Folks, I had a great talk recently with a writer in Iowa named Emery Styron, who was the editor and publisher of the local Mt. Pleasant News for 11 years. He told me the story of his brush with fame back in 1997. It’s about graduations and what happens afterward, so I asked if I could share it here. Emery did me one better and wrote the story himself. Here it is.
I always start my morning with a cup of coffee and by reading Understandably. Almost always I gain an insight about how my fellow travelers on Planet Earth might think/feel/do. I then I get to nibble on the seven tidbits at the end with the option to consume the whole meal via the handy links!
I especially enjoyed today’s “brush with fame” and the 25 tips for surviving life after high school. So simple, still true, and fairly easy to apply. Now I can go about my day uplifted instead of being weighed down by “the news.”
Here's the story of how I almost met the Beatles. Moral: 80% of life is showing up.
It was 1964. I was in 9th grade. Like everyone I knew, I was an avid Beatles fan. A group of of my girlfriends formed a Beatles fan club, but I declined to join it because I didn't see what we would actually do. Would we sit around mooning "Paul is so cute", and "John is so clever"? I didn't want to join a club to do that. They collected a few hundred dollars in dues and then realized they had no idea what to do with the money, so they decided to donate it to sponsor a Native American child . Somehow the Beatles got wind of this. When they toured North America, they came to our city. They asked to meet the president of the fan club. She and my friends all went to the Beatles concert. I did not. I figured it would just be a bunch of screaming idiot girls and I wouldn't hear a note (true). The president of the club was shown to the green room to meet the Beatles, while the others waited outside. In a minute she stuck her head out and said the Beatles wanted to meet all of them. They spent two hours hanging with the band and of course they never forgot it.
80% of life is showing up. Had I showed up, I would be writing today about what happened when I met the Beatles instead of how I didn't. Go to things. Try new places. Take a chance. As Kurt Vonnegut said, "Peculiar traveling suggestions are dancing lessons from God."
Never be afraid to change your path. Time is going to pass regardless of what you decide. It’s far better to say “I’m glad I did it” rather than “I wish I had”. I live by this rule. I was unhappy with my career, so I changed my path and went to law school at 40 years old. Those three years passed by quickly and I’m so glad I did it.
Start with Robert Fulghum's list of 13 things " All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kingergarten " and continue with Emory Styons list of 25 after High School .... winning recipe for a good life.
The one piece of advice I give everyone graduating High School (and college, but that might be too late) is:
Always live below your means.
When (not if) Inflation kicks up, an unexpected expense comes along, or you lose your job and have to take a pay cut, you'll be ready to weather it. Over time, you'll also build up a financial cushion which will take some of the stress out of your life.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Styron for sharing this back in 1997; and Thank you Bill, for re-sharing this now!
I did have to smirk a little with the comment about not eating out with small children, though … I so understand that sentiment :-)
There are so many nuggets to share as we journey through Life.
As for “Family matters” - it may be helpful to explain to young folks, that family does not have to be biological … close friends from myriad social experiences (school, military, church) definitely count!
great column again today!!! Favorite one is "21. A smile is the cheapest way to improve your looks, even if your teeth are crooked." Your email is my "go-to" email that starts my day.
The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all.
I always start my morning with a cup of coffee and by reading Understandably. Almost always I gain an insight about how my fellow travelers on Planet Earth might think/feel/do. I then I get to nibble on the seven tidbits at the end with the option to consume the whole meal via the handy links!
I especially enjoyed today’s “brush with fame” and the 25 tips for surviving life after high school. So simple, still true, and fairly easy to apply. Now I can go about my day uplifted instead of being weighed down by “the news.”
Wow! I loved reading today's edition. I would add one thing, not an original.
People will judge you whatever you do so just do what you want to do. Don't let the, "What will they think?" stop you from being happy.
Here's the story of how I almost met the Beatles. Moral: 80% of life is showing up.
It was 1964. I was in 9th grade. Like everyone I knew, I was an avid Beatles fan. A group of of my girlfriends formed a Beatles fan club, but I declined to join it because I didn't see what we would actually do. Would we sit around mooning "Paul is so cute", and "John is so clever"? I didn't want to join a club to do that. They collected a few hundred dollars in dues and then realized they had no idea what to do with the money, so they decided to donate it to sponsor a Native American child . Somehow the Beatles got wind of this. When they toured North America, they came to our city. They asked to meet the president of the fan club. She and my friends all went to the Beatles concert. I did not. I figured it would just be a bunch of screaming idiot girls and I wouldn't hear a note (true). The president of the club was shown to the green room to meet the Beatles, while the others waited outside. In a minute she stuck her head out and said the Beatles wanted to meet all of them. They spent two hours hanging with the band and of course they never forgot it.
80% of life is showing up. Had I showed up, I would be writing today about what happened when I met the Beatles instead of how I didn't. Go to things. Try new places. Take a chance. As Kurt Vonnegut said, "Peculiar traveling suggestions are dancing lessons from God."
Loved the column today. I would add…
Never be afraid to change your path. Time is going to pass regardless of what you decide. It’s far better to say “I’m glad I did it” rather than “I wish I had”. I live by this rule. I was unhappy with my career, so I changed my path and went to law school at 40 years old. Those three years passed by quickly and I’m so glad I did it.
Bill sent u an email about 10 minute YouTube about Michael Burry THE GUY THAT CALLED THE BIG SHORT
CMO COLLAPSE
PLEASE FIND 10 minutes to goto YouTube
Type in Michael Burrys warning 2022
It’s 6 days old
My day begins with Understandably and a cup of tea. Thank you for these gentle reminders. So needed in today's world.
Live by what you trust, not by what you fear. Timeless advice.
Thank you, Bill.
I shared the tips with my recently matriculated grand daughter.
Thank “you” for sharing!
Thanks for the return to Ann Landers. Voice of reason.
This is an incredible list. I can see why Ann Landers loved it. It is timeless. Thank you for sharing with us Emery.
Sooo good! Thank you Bill
Start with Robert Fulghum's list of 13 things " All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kingergarten " and continue with Emory Styons list of 25 after High School .... winning recipe for a good life.
The one piece of advice I give everyone graduating High School (and college, but that might be too late) is:
Always live below your means.
When (not if) Inflation kicks up, an unexpected expense comes along, or you lose your job and have to take a pay cut, you'll be ready to weather it. Over time, you'll also build up a financial cushion which will take some of the stress out of your life.
#15: Add mobile phones, tablets and any other devices where you can access social media
#26: If you smoke, stop. If you don't, don't start.
#27: Save 10% of what you earn.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Styron for sharing this back in 1997; and Thank you Bill, for re-sharing this now!
I did have to smirk a little with the comment about not eating out with small children, though … I so understand that sentiment :-)
There are so many nuggets to share as we journey through Life.
As for “Family matters” - it may be helpful to explain to young folks, that family does not have to be biological … close friends from myriad social experiences (school, military, church) definitely count!
great column again today!!! Favorite one is "21. A smile is the cheapest way to improve your looks, even if your teeth are crooked." Your email is my "go-to" email that starts my day.