Growing old... or just feeling it...

[thaduke2003]

At the ancient, advanced, and decrepit age of 24 (wow, I know... and life before electricity was simpler, before you ask), I have come to realize a few things- hopefully, one or more may help you in life. Salut!
Life is too short to go around worrying what people think- just be yourself. Never lie, or try to be something or somebody you're not. You're not fooling anyone but yourself.
Enjoy life as a series of moments- the more you learn to take life as it comes, the better a time you'll have of it.
Love freely, openly, and without reservations or conditions- open your heart to someone, be it as a friend, lover, husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend- whatever! JUST LOVE SOMEONE!
As a caveat to this, love yourself! How can you love others if you don't love the person that you are? Silly rabbit...
Don't let an obsession with material things define who you are (I'm guilty of this via cars, sadly, but as a vice, not so terrible, I hope - let YOU define YOU.
Actions speak louder than words SOMETIMES, so choose your path with a level, open, and calm mind- even when you get stressed, take a deep breath, calm yourself down, and look at it from another angle- maybe you can see another side, and make things work for everyone.
Don't sweat the small stuff- life is just too d**n short to go around stressing over a bad hair day (lord knows, I have one EVERY day ask Frankie!)
When you need help, always have someone to ask. If you ever need advice, feel free to ask- people always have an opinion to give.
It's better to have one or two TRUE friends than a thousand fake, crappy, or uncaring ones.
Don't obsess over looks, weight, etc.- your inner character will attract the right people- those who sweat you or ignore you because of your appearance or whichever are doing you a FAVOR- they're telling you that they're not worth your time! Let the true friends come to you- they'll see who you really are, not just what you look like.
A sound, healthy body breeds a happy mind. Keep in shape, eat healthy, but don't obsess.
Obsession is bad. Don't over-focus on something. Setting goals is all well and good, but obsession can and will be harmful and dangerous. Keep things in perspective and reason.
Believe in yourself- if no one else does, you'd d**ned well better! Also, if you don't believe you can, why would anyone else?
More to come, but for now, I'm pooped Been up since 5 A.M., and this old sage needs a nap- comment, add, or argue- cheers Mark W.

[Lorinth]

I don't think you are old by any means, I believe you are wise, and have a greater and better outlook on life than most people. Most people are straight forward and think theres only one way to do this, but thats never true there are always many ways to figure things out, but still, answering your question if it was rhetorical or not, I'm not sure.... lol, but I believe you're not old by any means, 24 is not old, I would say old is when you got great grandchildren, so you got a ways.

[thaduke2003]

Good God- no great grandchildren yet (that I know of...)! I appreciate the words- more to come- grandpa just woke up from his nap Mark W.

[thaduke2003]

And by old, I don't mean gray and crooked- I mean that I have lived too much in too few years. In my 24 years, I've buried a girlfriend, a fiancee, and too many friends. I've laughed, loved, cried, had my heart stop 3 times (overdose [not on purpose- with friends like mine...], electrocution, and a wreck when I was racing [not my fault]).
I've hit highs few can relate to- I have raced internationally, competed horses internationally, loved unconditionally, and done things few people (if any at all).
In that time, as I've mentioned, I've hit some crazy lows as well.
In all this, I've learned that life is an experience. I've tried working in an office, and made GOOD money doing it, but realized that I wasn't really happy. So I left that life behind, and left NYC for Phoenix, AZ, on a whim with people I barely knew, and had a blast, for the most part. I've since moved back east, and life goes on.
Anyway, some more advice post-break-up:
Trust your instincts- they aren't lying to you- experience will teach you a great deal as you live, love, and grow. If something feels wrong, address the issue- don't assume it will go away.
Don't try to change people- let them be their own person.
Don't let your pain or anger cloud your judgement. Also, don't push friends away afterward- let them do their job- being a friend. Return the favor when the time is right for it.
Cheers, and still more to come as I keep on living my life- Mark W.

[Mason]

Old?
Naahhh.
Experienced? Yes.
I once saw a great quote:
"If it's a good thing, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experienced."
So I would say that you've seen the ups and downs of life in too short a time, but at least it's experience, and you'll learn not to do the bad again in the future.
Just my two cents. :]

[Lorinth]

experience is something everyone needs to have, if they don't they are ignorant to life, and must live in a mental hospital room.... cut off from the world.
but the things is people have experience but most don't utilize it which is sad because they should.

[Frankie]

I agree with the two of them, Mark. And honestly, every word you've said to me has spoken to me in some form or another, because I've probably faced just about every problem you've mentioned. (Mainly the 'talking to others' and 'looks' portion. You know how I stand with that) You are NOT old, and you definitly don't look it either. But you're definitly experienced. You've been through so much and just by talking to you, and reading what you've written, I feel like I can learn from your experiences and your mistakes, and take a turn for the good by learning from it.

So thanks Mark, and you aren't old. Really. Grandpa.

[Lorinth]

I would like to say I do value your opinion as a person mark. Your words a rather intelligent for your age by far. Most people that are like you don't usually know how to show their experience or know how to help others or teach them about things, but I believe you have a constant flow of wisdom in you that you give to us, and I'm grateful to have you as a part of Openopinion, you teach us, and help us in ways you might not realize but all the while I'm sure you do realize it.