Progeny
I have three grandchildren who are really fine people. They're older now, however, and have flown, or are ready to flee, the nest. So I thought I'd give them the sort of advice I might give if I saw them every day and we were able to have casual chats. Nothing pontifical or sanctimonious. Just bits and pieces of some things I've learned.
Use your technology; don't let it use you.
You'll always have money, more or less. But if money is your life, the less will always outweigh the more.
Run for office. Any office – local, state, national. Your world needs you because you're smart.
If people do nice things for you, say thank you.
The key to getting through life is maintenance: your body, your stuff, your loves, your friends, your car, your retirement fund, and your country.
Make sure that your life is interesting. That's really the only goal.
Keep a diary. You may think your life is boring. In twenty years you'll see that it wasn't.
Be wary of the internet. It's more dishonest than our current president.
Having faith in God is okay. You'll need that. Religions, though, will speak nicely to you because they want your money. They'll also tell you that other religions are evil so that you won't give them your money.
Buy some tools and learn how to use them.
If someone ever asks you what is the most important thing in your life that you do, and you say, "I read," you'll have nailed it.
Don't be afraid to go to bed at night angry with your spouse/partner. Sometimes the silly pieces of a spat need time to fall away so that the serious ones can be talked about.
Drink coffee. It's good for you. It won't make you weird, but it will give you a bit of a boost.
When contemplating anything – big or small – ask yourself: Is this moving me forward or backward?
Read lots of fiction. Getting into someone else's head - their emotions, joys, perils, heartbreaks -is the best way to know what's going on in your own. And believe me, there's lots going on.
Get a dog or a cat. No justification needed.
G.K. Wuori ©2026
Photoillustration by the author from a photo by Atort Aerials