9 Life Lessons by Tim Minchin

You don’t have to have a dream. Be micro-ambitious, work with pride on whatever is in front of you. Be careful on long term dreams, if you focus too far in front of you, you won’t see the shiny thing out the corner of your eye.
Don’t seek happiness. Keep busy and aim to make someone else happy and you might find you get some as a side effect. We didn’t evolve to be constantly content.
Luck. You are incalculably lucky to be here, to be born. Understanding that you can’t truly take credit for your successes, nor truly blame others for their failures will humble you and make you more compassionate.
Exercise. Take care of your body, you’re gonna need it.
Be hard on your opinions. We must think critically and not just about the ideas of others. Be hard on your beliefs. Be intellectually rigorous, identify your biases, your prejudices, your privileges.
Be a teacher. Share your ideas, don’t take for granted your education. Rejoice in what you learn and spray it.
Define yourself by what you love. We have a tendency to define ourselves in opposition to stuff, but try to also express your passion for things you love. Be demonstrative and generous on your praise of those you admire.
Respect people with less power than you.
Don’t rush. You don’t need to already know what you’re gonna do with the rest of your life. Don’t panic.

Romance. You’ll soon be dead. There’s only one sensible thing to do with this empty existence, and that is fill it. Life is best filled in by learning as much as you can about as much as you can. Taking pride in whatever you’re doing. Having compassion, sharing ideas, running, being enthusiastic. It’s an incredible exiting thing this one meaningless life of yours. Good luck.

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