Want to know the secret
To a long happy life?
Well it’s rather simple

First,
There’s this thing called
The Golden Rule.
If you don’t know what that is,
Then you’re a fool.
Get out of that rock you’ve been living under,
What it means is this:
Be a gentleman,
Hold the door open for others,
Because odds are,
At least five people will hold a door for you.
If you see a starving man,
Feed them.
Because odds are,
If you end up living in a box,
At least five people will feed you

Second,
Get Cultured.
Read a book or two.
Because odds are,
There’s a story about you.
Paint a Picture
Even if you’re color blind
Because odds are,
It’s art in someone’s eyes.
Broaden your horizons
The close minded are weak.
Learn a new language
Try a different way to speak
Or sign
Or write
Or even read

Third,
Learn to cook for others
Something people can at least chew
Because odds are,
At least five people have cooked for you.
Don’t be afraid to spice things up
Have a taste for something
Even if no one else craves it.
Let someone else lick the spoon
If they dare.

Fourth,
Listen to a new sound
Music that is true
Because odds are,
Someone is singing for you.
If your heart is broken,
There’s a song for that
If you’re just mellow
There’s a song for that too.
If you’re looking for a song with meaning
With words of a poet
Or you’re just wanting to feel inspired
Odds are,
Someone’s got you covered.

Five
Be brave
Choose the bolder thing to do
If glasses make you look smarter,
Then go ahead and wear them
Whether you need them to see or not
They may serve as a good luck charm
& help you pass that test you’ve cracked open book after book over
Or to help you understand that novel you’ve been reading
If you’re not too bold for red
Wear it proud
Either on a dress that flows to your rhythm
Or on your lips as you pucker up with pride.
If others have an opinion
You can pick & choose which ones matter
But I advise you not to choose any at all
Just smile & wave as if you’re saying
“Thanks anyway, but I’m fine.”
Because odds are,
At least five people have judged you
While five others have secretly admired you
& have even embraced your unique qualities

Finally
Embrace your roots as much as possible
As much as you’ve dreamed of city lights
& hated country living
The fact is that’s where you came from
& it has value.
Because it has made you partially who you are
But don’t forget that you are also your own person
Your soul is your own as well as your life
There are some things that only you can possess
You have lots of perks
As well as your quirks.
Maybe you have the ability to see through the dark
& notice the light in the most complicated things
& you have no fear as you venture your way to it
Maybe you’re brave enough to jump off a waterfall
Cannonballing into a strong current
One that goes a different direction than your used to
Maybe you’re the kid who makes a wish upon a star
Or upon the clock at 11:11
& even though it doesn’t come true you keep wishing
Maybe you’re the kid who thinks wishing is overrated
So you say a prayer instead
& you don’t just bow your head
Because that’s just a minor detail God doesn’t pay mind to
You know He just wants to hear you
At least someone does
Maybe you’re the one who takes action
& would more likely lead a protest for no reason
Than stand on the sidelines with a reason to
Maybe you’re the kind of man who is confused by art
While your children can only paint pictures to get a message to you
Maybe you’ll be a proud mother
Of another mother’s baby.
Maybe you’ll live the longest
Out of anyone on this planet.
Maybe you’ll cure cancer.

“Keep Calm & Carry On”
I see on everyone’s mugs
Maybe this whole thing is absurd
You can correct me if I’m wrong about it all
But I will stand for what I believe
& I will keep what is mine.
I expect everyone to do the same.