Off-Topic Thursday: 21 Club

Jennifer Taylor JohnsonA few months ago, I was honored to have Jennifer Taylor Johnson guest post. Every now and then, I’ll read something someone else has written and think, I really wish I’d thought of that.” Today’s post from Jen is one of those, and I’m thrilled to be able to share it with you.

 Read more from her at See Jen Write, which never fails to encourage, inspire, entertain, and/or challenge me.

 

Today my friend Jon celebrates his 21st birthday and his parents asked friends and family to share a word of encouragement, favorite scripture, or life lesson to mark the occasion.

Presumptuously, I decided to send 21 lessons, because Jon is one of the few people in my life a) easygoing enough to appreciate piles of unsolicited advice and b) young enough to possibly think I might have some wisdom worth sharing.

But I’m not alone—I’m sure you have some good advice for this young man, too, so add what I’ve missed.

 

21 things to remember as you turn 21:

  1. Once in a great while, you get better results from being so assertive you’re almost rude. (A recent phone conversation with Comcast, i.e. the worst company on the planet, comes to mind.) 98% of the time kindness is the way to go.

  2. It’s okay to skip over the long census lists when reading Numbers.

  3. The person who talks the loudest isn’t always the person who’s right.

  4. Elisabeth Elliot’s father taught his sons to only say “I love you” to a woman if prepared to follow it up with “Will you marry me?” This may not be an entirely practical idea today, but the principle is still good: do not mislead a girl, and don’t give her 100% of your heart until you’ve made a lifetime commitment to her.

  5. Ditto on giving her 100% of your body.

  6. Ask if the cat constantly pukes before you adopt it.

  7. Learn the difference between their/there/they’re and its/it’s. Sadly, if you use these words correctly you’ll seem more professional and better educated than 75% of the population.

  8. Find at least three vegetables you like and eat two of them every day. It’s okay if cheese is involved. Corn and potatoes don’t count.

  9. Some people will be your friend for just a phase or a season, and a few will be your friend your whole life. Both groups are valuable, but be sure to take care of the lifers.

  10. When you get the chance to travel somewhere, anywhere, take it.

  11. You cannot change people. The best you can do is change how you respond to them or how you let them affect you.

  12. Be nice to the waiter. Tip well.

  13. If you get stranded in Ft. Wayne, IN two days before Christmas in the biggest snowstorm to hit the east coast in ten years, and the little dude with a scraggly mustache informs you your luggage didn’t make it, remember #1 and insist on viewing the collected baggage to make sure. It will be there.

  14. Do not use your credit card as an emergency fund, and balance your checkbook every month.

  15. Wear sunscreen.

  16. It’s not only ethical to be honest, it’s also easier. You don’t have to keep your stories straight, and you can handle small issues before they become ginormous.

  17. In all the Michael Jackson hoopla, I re-watched his 1983 performance of “Billie Jean.” As tragic as the rest of his life became, those 4 1/2 minutes are inspiring; he was born to sing and dance. St. Irenaeus said that the glory of God is man fully alive. Discover what makes you fully alive and then spend your life pursuing it.

  18. Worries seem bigger and scarier at night. Get some sleep and come back to it in the morning.

  19. Regularly spend time with four year olds.

  20. Some things we find really fun aren’t worth our time, and some things worth our time are completely not fun. Do the important stuff whether it’s fun or not.

  21. Just because you’re now old enough to drink legally doesn’t mean you’re old enough to drink too much. Moderation in all things, my friend (even vegetables).

 

Question: What piece of advice would you give? Talk about it in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.



Randy CraneRandy Crane is passionate about helping Christians, especially those with a Disney affinity, to discover and connect to their GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE AND VALUE, to build their lives to achieve TRUE SUCCESS AND MEANING, and to POSITIVELY IMPACT their world. For more than two decades, Randy has been leading individuals and teams into a greater joy and child-like appreciation of the world around them, equipping them to reach beyond what they have previously experienced and build a God-given identity and purpose. Ready to experience that for yourself? Tell us where to send SIX free videos all created to help answer the 3 questions you need to experience PEACE, FREEDOM, and PURPOSE!

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