Lesson #11: Dream

What do you think is worse– being rich and worrying about losing it all? Or being poor and dreaming of what you might never have?

Falling asleep:

The mellow sound

vibrating through your body

and signaling the

comfort  of a dream to come.

Have you ever felt more alive or in love than the seconds before you drift into the warm cradle of a good dream?

This is what youth and life and vibrancy are all about:

Impulsive decisions, creative financial planning, eating beans and sleeping on the floor, dreaming big.

Dream big. Big. BIG.

Anything can happen when you’re young, right? Anything at all. You’re whole life ahead of you, standing at an open road where the sun shines down on you.

Do you care about that paycheck? Sure, but just getting by is more than fine for now. In fact, it’s perfectly okay because one day this will have been the richest time of your life. Before the kids and the mortgage, the two golden-retrivers, the picket-fence and the insurance policies and decent healthcare.

Open your eyes and lungs to the brilliant sky, count the five books you have, and smile like the child you are that just awoke from an excellent dream.

Lesson 10: Travel

Travel for long periods of time. Make a long-term commitment to study a language and then live in a country where that language is spoken for a minimum of a year. Try to trick as many people as possible that you actually are that nationality.

Lesson #9: Looooove Tucson

A city that is so cool because it doesn’t pretend to be, more awesome than Phoenix by a bajillion percent, where awesome food and events are hidden in little corners, where the downtown takes 15 minutes to walk, where old houses ooze history and the sunset will make you cry– Tucson, Arizona is one of the coolest places you’ve ever been.

Many people think Tucson sucks. Well, let those squares live in Phoenix or forests, you’ll keep more of Tucson for yourself and visit as often as possible.

 

Lesson #8: Value your lady-friends

Sure, you’ll forget to call, but keep a special spot in your heart for the women you have history with. Those ladies have seen you at your WORST and still want to be friends?! awesome. Remember all relationships take work–including your friendships.

Lesson 7: On Moving

Move when ever you feel like it. To another country. To another sofa. To another state. If the shoe fits… wear it to walk to somewhere better.

Move to Oakland right now…IF YOU  CAN.

Lesson 6: Facebook stalk your own name.

And then find out KarynRoberts.com is already taken by the other Karyn Roberts you just friended.

Lesson 5: Never plan to make any real money.

See post 3 and then combine it with the end of post 4.

Lesson 4: Never admit to liking little kids.

They’re loud, obnoxious and incredibly selfish. They’re illogical, stubborn and needy. Kids are the biggest pain in the ass. Swear you’ll NEVER have any self-centered little brats. Rattle on about why procreation is NOT a biological necessity to fulfillment of your personal life as a woman. Explain that the earth is overpopulated and we’re wasting our precious few resources. Convince people children only get in the way of accomplishing your goals.

Then take a job (by choice) that involves 200 lil’ ones every day. Secretly (and not so secretly) love that job. Make alternative plans to adopt any and all of your kids should the time come.

Lesson 3: plan to see the entire world.

literally.

Lesson 2: Enjoy Family time… a little too much.

When you go home for Christmas or any other holiday, spend lots of time with your family. Ignore calls from friends or classmates if it interferes with watching Jersey Shore with your 17 year-old sister. Count down the days until your younger siblings turn 21. Refer to your siblings as your best friends and tag every photo of you with your family members on facebook. Plan parties, road trips, or family vacations that only include family members. Be a little upset when your sibling invites his wife.