Interesting Things I’ve Learned In My First 49 Years
1) Stuff works out.
I have spent way too many of my 49 years worrying about worst-case scenarios that never materialized.
2) There will always be poor people among us.
From Jesus (This is reinforced by the fact that people who watch Jerry Springer almost always produce more kids than those who watch The Discovery Channel.)
3) If you are buying coffee at 7:00 in the morning, it is okay to leave your keys in your unlocked car with the engine running. All the thieves are still sleeping.
4) A musician who masters the art of background vocals is much more likely to get meaningful gigs than one who does not.
5) Love enriches one’s life far more than material things.
6) The Religious Right crucified Jesus.
I first heard this said by a man who would eventually become General Overseer of the Church of God denomination. I was about forty before I realized he was right.
7) The “prayer in schools” debate is seen in an entirely different light when you get a few Muslim kids in your school district.
8) Except for financing a house, there is nothing worth going in debt over.
9) When pulling up to a drive-through car wash, roll your window down and stick your head out. You can see perfectly to align your tires with the metal tracks.
10) Everyone loves a good redemption story. If you screw up, just admit it and move on to the redemption phase. (Remember, the cover-up is what brought Nixon down.)
11) Be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
From James, the Brother of Jesus (Brilliantly re-packaged as “Seek first to understand, then to be understood” by Stephen Covey)
12) Illegal aliens who work twelve hour days are not nearly as big a problem as people who suck the government tit and watch Judge Judy all day.
13) Macs are better than PC’s. (But PC’s and their software are way cheaper.)
14) When hearing statistics quoted, always ask who paid for the study.
15) Almost all Christians underestimate what happened at the cross.
16) The United States is going bankrupt. Accept the fact and prepare for it.
17) The internet could use a truth filter.
18) Making your house a welcome environment for your kids’ friends is far more important that always having a perfectly clean house. (You can buy new carpet when they go away to college.)
19) When trying to figure out someone’s motivation, follow the money first.
20) One can have major disagreements with his parents on a few issues and still feel like he won the parent lottery. (As hard as I try, I’m not sure my mom and dad will ever understand this.)
21) Several times on your way to becoming a professional musician, you will find yourself in the uncomfortable position of being in way over your head. (See #1.)
22) If there is one trustworthy person working on Wall Street, he is probably a cab driver.
23) A society without plumbers would be in nearly as much distress as one without doctors.
24) After being a husband and father, I am most fulfilled standing on a stage backing up Danny Frazier. (The picture in this post is me being fulfilled.)
25) I have a few friends who love me without conditions. (This makes me wealthy beyond measure.)
26) There are some intelligent, thoughtful, and kind atheists. There are also some intelligent, thoughtful, and kind Christians.
27) Sex with someone who knows what you like is always better than sex with someone who has no idea. (For some reason, men are programmed to believe the opposite.)
28) If your heart is kinder than your doctrine, check your doctrine.
From Michael Williams, my favorite Bible teacher
29) Sometimes, a second marriage can be happier than the first one. (Don’t read anything into that, Deb. I’ve just observed some of our friends.)
30) Raising good kids requires hard work, unconditional love, and luck.
I have seen some wonderful parents turn out some really bad kids. See #1.
31) There is no such thing as unbiased journalism.
32) God put hops on the earth for a reason.
33) Every man or woman who works deserves respect. Those who refuse to work deserve none. (I offer a pre-emptive shout-out to stay at home moms. Of course I know it is work.)
34) Government would have already taken back the bill of rights were it not for the second amendment.
35) Some wonderfully life-enriching things happen when a person reaches out to gay/lesbian acquaintances and simply says, “I think I might owe you an apology.”
36) Filling kids’ minds with fear and alarm is child abuse. (In other words, stop telling little kids about Global Warming or how they might be separated from their parents in an apocalyptic scenario.)
37) Mega-Churches will eventually return the church to meeting in houses, where it started. (The organizations become more important than the people who make up those organizations.)
38) The US desperately needs reporters who are willing to ask tough questions of the powers-that-be.
39) Your FaceBook friend list should have people on it who disagree with you on matters of politics and religion.
40) Viewing yourself as a victim is among the world’s most destructive forces.
41) Never fight a legal battle with someone who has lots of disposable income to spend on lawyers.
42) Don’t be afraid to ask out the hottest girl you have ever met. She might say yes. (Thanks Deb.)
43) You cannot choose your kids’ girlfriends/boyfriends.
44) If you ever get a record deal with a major label, remember that corporate politics is just as important as the music.
45) If you ever become a music director in a mega-church, remember that corporate politics is just as important as the music.
46) When the economy is bad, there are always musicians willing to part with good gear for pennies on the dollar on Craigslist.
47) Verizon sucks. But their network is awesome.
48) Everyone is now carrying around a phone that takes pictures and records video. Be on your best behavior at all times.
49) If someone has a Honda Accord for sale with 100,000 miles on it, buy it. It is just getting broken in.
