Don't jump rope with your power cord.
Don't grow up and get a good job, only to sleep with your coworker
or boss and get fired.
Don't pick at your calluses after climbing trees.
Climb lots of trees.
Don't pick at your face so much.
Stop touching your hair; you're making it frizzy.
Have fewer tantrums, no one will let you live them down
when you are older.
Never sleep under the ceiling fan if
you haven't cleaned it in weeks.
Don't put your fingers down the garbage disposal
unless no one's around who could switch it on.
Eat cake sometimes.
Hug your siblings, often,
you never know when they could be gone.
Be kind to your parents,
they are probably trying their best.
Give some--but not too much--thought to higher power.
Explore the world, but don't leave your passport at the hotel.
Don't belch or fart too often when alone--it's unseemly.
Try at least once: escargots, ostrich steak, bacalhau.
Try more than once: malbecs, rieslings, poetry.
Don't slip in the shower; buy a grip mat.
Breathe deeply when stressed out.
Don't chew your nails or smoke.
Read, read anything, and read often.
Listen to Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, Chet Baker.
The Beatles.
Love the world, even though it is a shitstorm.
Doubt politicians, trust them only inasmuch as
they can achieve great things for you and
for the country and world.
Be loyal, faithful, trustworthy.
Don't gossip about friends or enemies.
Have no 'enemies.'
Work moderately hard,
keep busy,
but stay still sometimes,
and hear the wind blow through the trees
while slowly sipping on a glass of noir.
And most importantly:
Play.
. . . . .
Erika
