May we find a way to give fresh starts to those who need them before we lose our opportunity, and our chance to be the best of what makes us human.

Live your life without thinking you have to change who you are to please someone else… and find someone whowill put up with your faults because you make it worth the effort for them.Don’t forget to make it worth the effort.

Suicide is a dark and horrible thought that has hit very close to my life, but if we don’t talk about it, we learn nothing; and if we learn nothing, then the greatest loss in suicide is to the living.

As hard as it is to say, the only lesson I have is to avoid long distance romance if possible. Find a better job at home or move your family. Long distance love can work but the effort is immense, as is the risk.

Use empathy and compassion accordingly. People dealing with loss of a loved one may need your support. Probably not me, but most other people. I say probably because I cannot imagine losing my wife or any of my kids. I might need your support after all.

If you keep finding yourself in a deeper hole, no matter what you try to do to improve your life, you need to do two things. First, stop digging. Clearly the same level of thinking that put you in the hole cannot help you escape. Secondly, seek out help from a friend who has what you want, a mentor with a vested interest in your future, or a professional who understands what you are going through.

You don’t need me or some actor, musician, or anyone else to convince you. It starts with you choosing to believe that you can do anything you want… even write a haiku.

As much fun as you can have online, always value a real friendship over something virtual. Do yourself a favor and phone, text, or message someone you haven’t seen in six months and ask if they are available for coffee or something. Challenge yourself to do this every month. Turn it into a habit and do it for the restof your life.

Be content with your choices. The human heart has no room for regret. But also, don’t be afraid to not give up on love. Society tells us that it is okay to throw love away too easily. I think this makes for too many unhealthy old people.