Today is my fortieth birthday.

This is going to sound strange, but I love turning 40. First off, I love that black (my favorite color) is the theme for turning 40. Secondly, I love the wisdom that is starting to come with age. I’ve got these white whiskers in my red beard, and I love it. I embrace my aged look. I like to think of it as patina. 

I truly believe I’m embarking on the most exciting decade of my life.

As is common with this age, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the lessons I have learned over the years. Let’s just get into it. 

1. Celebrating birthdays is kind of silly. We should really be celebrating my parents who brought me into this world, kept me alive, and raised me in a safe and loving environment. 
2. I haven’t had a greater thrill in my life than seeing each of my children being born. If I could bottle up the emotions that accompany watching that experience, I’d be a wealthy man.
3. It is far cheaper to buy an expensive item with quality, than to buy several cheaper items of poor quality.
4. Once when I was a kid I asked my dad what makes a curse word a curse word. He told me it was the connotation that society places upon a word that makes it a curse word. I reject that idea. I think a four letter word is trivial compared to telling someone they are worthless.
5. Don’t air your dirty laundry online.
6. Learning to play guitar is forever cool.
7. Never wear pleated pants.
8. Student loans are evil.
9. If you’re too comfortable, that’s probably a bad sign unless you’re on vacation. Don’t get too comfortable.
10. Fear can be an incredible motivator for self improvement. Embrace it and use it to your advantage. We must move in the direction of our fear.
11. Don’t worry about what other people might think about you. They’re not living your life; they don’t know what you are going through at this moment.
12. I have never gone wrong dressing nicely for an interview.
13. Visiting other cities, other states, and other countries taught me to appreciate the life I have at home so much more.
14. If something, or someone, seems too good to be true, it’s a very strong possibility that is exactly the case.
15. Never use your children as a weapon.
16. Don’t love things, because you are only a natural disaster away from losing it all. Then you will find out what really matters, and it isn’t your possessions.
17. If you don’t have at least one vice, I don’t trust you.
18. There are things I’ve said and done, all the way back to my childhood when I didn’t really know better, that I still feel awful about saying and doing. The tongue is a sharp sword, and the mind an incredible snare that can remind you of your worst transgressions.
19. Beating yourself up about the past has no value. Move on, grow, try to not make the same mistakes in the future.
20. There are people who come into your life who are toxic. Get away from them; they are poison to the soul. Some will come disguised as co-workers, some as friends, some as family. Get rid of them.
21. There are people who come into your life who will change your life for the good. Some of them are teachers, some of them are co-workers, some of them are friends or roommates or family. These people are nectar to your soul, and you’ll miss them always when they’re not a regular part of your life.
22. Time off is essential.
23. The best things in life aren’t on a computer screen.
24. If you write a book, the mileage you’ll get out of that will amaze you.
25. Always tip 20 percent unless the service warrants less.
26. Consume less and create more. The world needs your creations.
27. If you come up with an idea of something you want to try and someone tells you “that’s a terrible idea,” them screw it and try anyway. Best case scenario is your idea is successful. Worst case scenario is your idea goes no where but I bet you will learn a lot from the experience.
28. Experience is an excellent teacher. This can be a hard pill to swallow.
29. Your spouse is your mate; don’t turn her into an adversary.
30. You are going to figure out that you are wrong about some things. When you are given the choice between embracing the truth and “sticking to your guns,” don’t be an idiot.
31. Don’t get too wrapped up in politics. No, really. 
32. The best way to handle a compliment is with, “thank you.”
33. The best response to someone who has lost a loved one is “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
34. Never auto schedule posts to social media.
35. Yes, riding a motorcycle is as dangerous and as fun as it looks.
36. With a few exceptions, there are no bad decisions. Rather, there are decisions and then you need to figure out how to deal with the outcome.
37. You have to work really hard to be a true failure.
38. Date nights are important. Don’t neglect them. They pay off dividends.
39. Figure out what you want, and go after it. Beware of the things that will try and stop you. 
40. Don’t put things off. Nike’s “Just do it” isn’t only a marketing phrase but rather, a philosophy.