To my future child,
Over the years I have collected a lot of advices and kept the ones that are quite useful. Here are some simple rules so you can navigate the boring stuff of life and enjoy the less boring parts of it.
I hope that they will help you and that you may add some more to them, pass them along so people you care about will enjoy life with you, because a life in solitary and with no one to share what you know with, is a life not well lived.
When you try to predict the future, consider that the present is here. The probability of it existing is very high, you can feel it and see it. The closer the present is to now, the higher the probability is that you can predict it.
Usually a swan is white, but once in a while a black swan comes along . This holds true for the animal but also for our society. A black swan event is a major event that changes society and the way we think about the world.
Here are some examples of manifestation of negative emotions: Frustration - when approaching a goal and you are blocked. Disappointment - when pursuing a goal and it doesn't work. Grief - when loosing something. Pain - marker for damage. Anxiety - marker for the possibility of damage.
Nobody is leaving happy from a negotiation if both parties have skin in the game.
Go out in the world and do what you are good at and your mind will be fully focused.
When you are rude to your children, acknowledge it, respect your children and be a role model. Imagine if somebody would be rude to you, how would it make you feel.
When you talk to someone, be precise in how you articulate yourself. Observe the actions of what you want to say. For instance Peter is sitting in the chair, is an observation. Peter is lazy cause he is sitting in the chair is an evaluation. We are criticizing instead of just observing.
In the absence of reliable data one must reduce risk.
Never ever be with someone that is jealous, needy or a stalker.
Everything we accomplish has a price attached to it. If you are famous you will pay rumors and gossip tax. If you have more than you need or things that others desire, theft is one possible tax you may have to pay. In light of success you pay taxes in stress and problems.