To the Young

As I age, I realize that the goals of my youth are still there.  They still nag at me in my mind.   My mind still "plans" to do them "someday."  As I age, I am now staring retirement directly in the eyes.  As I age, I realize the mountain of things I regret.  You will hear this from dozens of people and you will likely ignore it, just like I did.  But time slips away.  One day you are young and care free, the next, you are old and worry about everything. 

Live your life while you are young.  Don't wait until the time is right.  Because somewhere between "too young" and "too old" there is only a thin line.  There is no area between called "just right."  It is a razor thin line that you will miss because at the end of  "too young" and the beginning of "too old"  is a time called "too busy."  The "just right" line is the same color and hidden deeply inside the "too busy."

Lean in for that kiss, even though you may be rejected.  Rejection hurts for a while, regret hurts for the rest of your life.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  

Take that road trip with your friends.  A time will come when you will be old and alone and these memories are all that you have. If you do not make them when you are young, you will have nothing when you are old.

In my older years, I have ran into many women that I used to be attracted to. I am more confident, now and can talk freely about my feelings.  Almost universally, when it comes up in the conversation, they ask me why I never told them.  The truth is, I was scared.  I was afraid of rejection.  But several have told me they waited for me for years and never thought I was interested in them.  

Stop avoiding heart break.  It IS going to happen.  You cannot avoid it.  Stop trying. It is a futile effort.  Instead, embrace it.  Dive in.  Do not miss THE ONE, because you were afraid of getting your heart broken by someone who was not.

So tell them how you feel.  Try to hold their hand.  Lean in for a kiss.  Ask her out, even if she's out of your league.  Embrace the heartbreak and take the risk.  You may hurt for a while, but at least you will know.