Someone may and probably will, strongly disagree with some of this and that would be fine. Because their vision, their expression is through their life, their experiences and their truth... which can also change at any moment.
You may enjoy this when reading
into the "negative space."
The WHY
In no particular order or priority..
Find your tribe...
You may have already. They may change. As will your needs and desires throughout life. Grow together, share together. Don't leave when struggle occurs. Assist, teach, learn, support... that's tribal love. Don't remove a member, and don't wander too far.
No debt...
You'll be tempted to do certain things that create a financial debt. I'm 50/50 on these, make your decision carefully. No the difference between improving the experience of life vs following some unwritten rules. You are under no obligation to follow the generic steps that you've seen 100 other people do, nearly all unsuccessfully. They'll want you to follow them, but pay close attention. Misery loves company.
A nice follow to that point
Work a job, enjoy the hobby...
You'll need money to operate. Often it'll be needed to advance the experience of life, but more on that later. Travel and a level of security should be high priorities, you'll need a decent "9-5," to take care of these things. Although your job should be an extension of who you are to a point, it should not be everything. The "everything," should be separate and not have finances attached.... because then it becomes a job. So get a job that takes care of the basics and needs, then work your hobby with your heart and find pleasure within that.
Train your body, completely...
Run, lift, yoga, meditate, exercise for enjoyment, stretch, sit quietly, expand your mind, sprint up a hill, hike, bike, swim, eat good foods that energize everything - research that, kayak, go on a retreat, dive into information that excites you, read, love people, get into nature - don't mole away in the city, rock climb, see the desert - the ocean - taste the salt water, dance outside, taste the jungle, keep reading, know when to stress your body and why, have a bonfire often, get a tattoo if you like - make it a reminder of your power,...
There are levels to reach, just like the physical training you already know... the body, mind, spirit connection is very real, and can drive every single thing... especially the things you love.
Then help people and reteach what you learn...
It doesn't do much good to gain information then hole yourself away in the mountains. I once had a friend who would often say "I only want to teach yoga in the mountains of..." and every time I'd stop her and say something to effect of what a waste that would be. Really though, who can't teach yoga in a resort in Colorado mountains? Whoopity Doo. Poopity Scoop. (Thats really funny if you've heard the new Kanye song) So whatever you learn, teach it, pass it along. You never know when that one nugget you've been holding onto could be the piece someone else has been searching for...
Travel...
I mentioned this above in two sections, but I think it's a very important piece. While seeing NYC and San Francisco is nice, I'm talking about Europe and historical sites. Visit cultures, not cities. Beaches are great and if I could go somewhere right now, it would be a burning beach to run off into the ocean, get a big taste of that salt water and let the waves wash away everything. But visit Peru, Brazil, Ireland, Japan, Alaska, see the wonders of the world. Shark dive, cruise through the North, taste a jungle, see a sunrise at the top of a volcano in Hawaii, get a vision of just how far humans have come.
Jocko...
I recently read a book that I found excellent for two main reasons, #1 being the title of the book and primary message, "discipline equals freedom." Check it out. He simply details how living a disciplined life opens up doors to freedom (not be redundant, but), then the #2 for me was also what I just wrote in the word "simply."
Jocko's book is just that and I believe this was also his message, things don't have to be complex to be great. When you can handle the basics and then the discipline within that framing, other options become very simple to see, manage and execute, no matter what it is. Being disciplined within the simplicity of a day, creates a space that helps you reduce pressure and anxiety, and helps you adjust everything into very manageable doses.
When life gets settled, seek discomfort...
Do not become some comfy fat ass, sitting the cul-de-sac of your fancy housing development, with nothing on the schedule but work and T ball. Seek discomfort. Find the challenges and keep the mind, body and spirit engaged. This, I believe, is the fountain of youth. Our bodies will fade, deteriorate and rot, they are as we sit here, but our energy is different. It's a vibration. And when constantly challenged, your vision in life is always floating through a wave of youthful energy, which will set you apart.
Protect that energy with your life. This will help lead to happiness, however it is you choose to draw it out over your time.
You might be reading this at 17, 37, or 67... nothing is concrete, nothing is finished until our hearts stop beating, never forget that.
Experience as much as you can, while you can.
Lastly, when shit hits the fan, which it will... don't panic ;) you already know how to handle it
