If I could offer you only one tip...
for the future...
Sunscreen would be it!
The long term benefits of sunscreen...
have been proved by scientists.
Whereas the rest of my advice...
has no basis more reliable than
my own meandering experience.
I will dispense this advice now...
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.
Oh nevermind.
You will not understand the power and beauty
of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me...
In twenty years...
You'll look back at photos of yourself...
And recall in a way you can't grasp now.
How much possibility lay before you.
And how fabulous you really looked.
You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future.
Or worry that knowing worrying is as effective
as trying to solve an algebra equation
by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind.
The kind that blind-sides you at 4pm...
On some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.
Don't put up with people who are reckless...
with yours.
Floss
Don't waste your time on jealousy.
Sometimes you are ahead.
Sometimes you are behind.
The race is long.
And in the end...
It is only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive.
Forget the insults.
If you succeed in doing this.
Tell me how.
Keep your old love letters.
Throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch
Don't feel guilty if you don't know...
What you want to do with your life.
The most interesting people I know...
Didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do...
With their lives.
Some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know...
still don't.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees.
You'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry.
Maybe you won't.
Maybe you'll have children.
Maybe you won't.
Maybe you'll divorce at 40.
Maybe you'll dance the funky chicken
at your 75th wedding anniversary.
Whatever you do...
Don't congratulate yourself too much.
Or berate yourself either.
Your choices are half chance.
So are everybody elses.
Enjoy your body.
Use it every way you can.
Don't be afraid of it.
Or what other people think of it.
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance
Even if you have nowhere to do it...
but in your own living room.
Read the directions.
Even if you do not follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines.
They will only make you feel ugly.
Brother and sister...
Together we will make it through.
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there.
I know you've been hurting...
But I've been waiting to be there for you.
And I'll be there...
just helping you out whenever I can.
Get to know your parents.
You'll never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings.
They're your best link to your past.
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go.
But for a precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography
and lifestyle.
'Cos the older you get...
The more you need the people...
you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once.
But leave before it makes you hard.
Live in Northern California once.
But leave before it makes you soft.
Travel
Accept certain inalienable truths.
Prices will rise.
Polititians will philander.
You too will get old.
And when you do...
You will fantasize that when you were young.
Prices were reasonable.
Polititians were noble.
And children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you.
Maybe you'll have a Trust fund.
Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse.
But you'll never know...
when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair.
Or by the time you are 40...
it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy.
But be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia.
Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past
from the disposal.
Wiping it off...painting over the ugly parts.
And recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Brother and sister...
Together we will make it through.
Together we will make it through.
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there.
I know you've been hurting...
But I've been waiting to be there for you.
And I'll be there...
just helping you out...whenever I can.
Everybody's free
Everybody's free...
To feel good!
