Comments on: Advice to Myself as a Young Man

By: Will

Will — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:17:49 +0000

The most comprehensive list of brilliant advice I’ve seen recently An awful lot of the conclusions I’ve been starting to come to lately too…

By: Wassan Bunpuckdee

Wassan Bunpuckdee — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:38:46 +0000

Thanks for your life advices!

By: DJ

DJ — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:10:22 +0000

speaking as someone heading for the big “four-oh” and still learning every day and still making more than my share of “mistakes” – i really want to show my 2 boys that they can go their own way in life – and that it you have never made a mistake, you have never made anything!

By: Lana

Lana — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:12:02 +0000

Oh soooo true. You just helped me realize my 21 yr old grandson, whom we lost just shy of 2 yrs ago, WAS living much the way you suggest. I, of a different generation, was unable to see and accept that.. . it is tooo late now to tell him “I understand and you go for it Thommers”. But I feel such peace in realizing how much he DID live his life and how MUCH HE Gave and Received back in living his life as he did. Now we have a 9yr old Great-grandson,a 4 yr of Great-granddaughter and his 3yr old son. I may not be here by the time they reach 15 or 20, so I am printing this out and tucking it into the old ceder-chest that belonged to my mother. Everyone know “All Important Stuff” is kept there.. I hope someone finds it and shares it with all 3 of them. Thank you for the words everyone should hear more than one time in their lives. Also, thank you for the article “what NOT to say to a parent when a child dies.” Re-posted it on my status on Facebook. Hope that was ok. You got the credit. Powerful Thank you again. You have made my day seem worth while. Bless you from an Old Great-Gam.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:40:50 +0000

This is awesome… I’d also add that your mind, your body, your emotions are all important and wonderful aspects of your being… but if you let any of them rule you, they may just destroy you… you need discipline to keep your will- your true soul desire & conscience running the show. And wisdom is better than knowledge.

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:32:42 +0000

Just a Guy, your comment really sums up what life is all about for me. Well said. Thanks xx

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 22 May 2011 13:26:07 +0000

Great list. I would add:

“Always trust your instincts, they are an essential part of who you are”

By: Jet

Jet — Sat, 07 May 2011 11:31:21 +0000

I am an INFJ from Malaysia. I really love this post when I just stepped into the third decade…

By: angeling

angeling — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:57:00 +0000

This is a beautiful and deep post! Thank you for sharing

By: SenseiMattKlein

SenseiMattKlein — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:13:41 +0000

Man I wish I had read this when I was younger. So much wisdom here. Still struggling with Do Not Take Yourself So Seriously.

By: David H

David H — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:26:31 +0000

Hello,
I really admire your taking the time to construct such a positive message based on your own experiences on this world. ;] … Despite what previous people may have commented about a 15 YO not understanding the meaning of this post, I will say regardless of that this post is still more precious than gold. For no matter what age you are at, this will never be understood unless you possess the desire to understand it!.. I am 21 years old living in Southern California, and I have had my share of negative and positive experiences and can relate to every single point you have elaborated on… in my opinion, if your post even touches the mind of 1 person in a positive way, young or old, you have achieved a noble task!!!.. And I am 1 person… May you continue to promote positivity and enjoy all you have been blessed with!!!

By: Derek Markham

Derek Markham — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:46:33 +0000

Kevin – I think you’re right – a 15 YO probably can’t know all of the above without the experiences to support them. However, I did this as an exercise to help me understand what I’ve learned, and in hope that I’ll be able to cultivate the type of relationship with my son in which he *might* be able to hear this kind of advice.

Cheers!

By: Kevin(TheDADvocate)

Kevin(TheDADvocate) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:22:30 +0000

Derek, This is a great piece. It’s funny but I wonder do you think anyone can know all the above at 15? Can you hear the wisdom without having some of the life experiences that are necessary to understand the truth of what is being said. Reading through at 35 years old I know all the above to be true and yet still find myself having to step back from what I do on a daily basis to ensure I’m following my own path. Oh and quitting, I think learning to quit without feeling like you failed might just be the hardest thing of all.

By: Derek Markham

Derek Markham — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:32:29 +0000

Thanks, Peter – I really appreciate that you read it and liked it!

Cheers!

By: Peter Hanfileti, MD

Peter Hanfileti, MD — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:58:01 +0000

Hey Derek,
Great post, I know you put this out several months ago but the info is timeless. As a pediatrician in my 40′s, I can relate on a personal level as well as professional level to your words of advice to the 15 year old in all of us. I have a particular interest in helping parents of those 15 year old teenagers of today to be able to impart the words of wisdom like you have so eloquently put here.

By: Derek Markham

Derek Markham — Fri, 14 May 2010 02:01:41 +0000

Thanks, Kaitlin!

By: Kaitlin Rose

Kaitlin Rose — Fri, 14 May 2010 01:25:29 +0000

I read through these pieces of advice not thinking of it as advice for a fifteen year old, but with the fresh eyes of a 25 year old with something to learn.

I’ll tell ya, I learned a few things. And a few things that you said were like wise old pieces I’d heard before, like from my grandmother, who I’ve been listening to for a long time.

Great post, Derek. I can see why this is your most popular piece.

Much respect,
Kaitlin
.-= Kaitlin Rose´s last blog ..Home Birth on Capitol Hill =-.

By: dallas cyr

dallas cyr — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:40:30 +0000

Best post I’ve read in a long time. I dig the retrospect and The advice is beautiful! Of course who you are is based on the mistakes and lessons; they all served you in some way. With that said, it doesn’t mean others can’t learn from your wisdom and go learn different lessons of their own. Thank you very much for sharing this! And hey who says you’re “middle aged”? If you don’t plan to die at 80 don’t let society tell you when you’ve reached the half way mark!

Peace & Prosperity ‘
Dallas Cyr

By: Derek Markham

Derek Markham — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:12:24 +0000

Thanks, Mocha Dad. That was the reason I wanted to write about it – because I never heard these things growing up. Cheers!

By: Mocha Dad

Mocha Dad — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:07:36 +0000

I wish I could have shared this advice with myself when I was younger. Now I get to share it with my kids. .-= Mocha Dad´s last blog ..Parenting By the Book or By Instinct =-.