Advice from an old person

A meandering home straight

Steep and winding

Awaits those who squander their youth

The home straight should be flat and unwavering

One’s final years a reward for youth well spent

Exercising wholesome priorities

Not a life of anger, intolerance

And above all, regret

From wasted youth

Spent nursing grudges and resentment

And using hatred as motivation

Take note, young people

Heed the wisdom of the old

Direct your boundless energies

Into productive pursuits

Become the best you can possibly be

Express your innate goodness

Through your beliefs, whatever they may be

Expand your world

Take a sledgehammer to the walls around you

Consign patriotism to the scrapheap

Be a part of global humanity

Not a privileged, entitled member of a tiny part of it

Become involved in projects that benefit society

Not threaten to pull it down

Old age will happen to you

Happiness and contentment await

But you need to prepare