sitting on a bench
square, stern buildings look at me
I look at the trees
The channel’s water
so recently full of life
now is dark and tired
empty boat slips reach
toward damp shore of this island
snows will come, then go
2011-11-23
Kungsholmen
Learning
School is helpful, especially in reading, writing and arithmetic. School can give you the tools you need to later explore the world and begin your life-long learning.
Read books of fiction. These will prepare you for learning in the world.
Be open to mentors in all things that interest you. Teachers can be such. More often it will be an aunt, or uncle, or older cousin or older neighbor—or just someone who appears unexpectedly in your life. Mentors are people who have done the things you might want to do and who are willing to show you, directly, how they have done it.
If something interests you, go for it with all your energy and passion until you feel you know it, or enough about it, or until you may lose interest in it.
There is no one right way—find YOUR way.
Love will happen
You are surrounded by love, even if you can’t define it or sense it. You wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for love.
You will love, and you will “fall” in love. There is a difference, but that’s all you need to know. The experience of “falling” will teach you the difference. It may not happen until you are very old, but more likely it will happen when you are young. Don’t worry about it, don’t search for it, just be open to it.
Be useful
The greatest reward in life is in knowing you have been useful to someone. It takes time to develop skills in being useful, but one can always be polite and respectful of others, which helps them feel comfortable. This is useful.
What’s your Type?
Whatever type of person you think you are, or think you want to be, all types of people are necessary or these “types” wouldn’t exist. Don’t worry about it—just be your “type.” Later on you will just be “you.”
Don’t wobble
The balance between your need for Freedom and your need for Safety will determine your politics and the course of your life. Test these needs against each other as often as you can before you leave home so that you can be certain where to place your feet and how to direct your energies. Accept yourself and others in all their, and your, differences.
