Well, it’s been a pretty big year.  Got engaged exactly a year ago (left that out of 51 Things – it was still a secret at press time), bought a house with a big back yard and my dream game room, grew my practice, and celebrated countless events and achievements, my own – but mostly for others. As the planned nuptials (10/10/26) draw ever closer, it’s that time of year again – to take stock of what I’ve learned, and to celebrate the fact that I’m still learning after all these years.  So, without further ado – here are FIFTY TWO things I’ve learned:

1. If you stop learning, you stop living. 
2. I was more wrong about what “love” means than I’ve ever been about anything.
3. Regrets are the product of an immature mind; grow up and grow old with confidence and style knowing that all of it is your story – and no matter how ugly you think it is, it’s actually quite beautiful. 
4. Mathematically speaking, either everything matters, or nothing does.  Choose your philosophy accordingly.
5. The best medicine for anxiety and depression is the service of others.
6. Despite a lifetime of nature documentaries consumed, the most baffling species I’ve ever come across is the American teenager.
7. The apex of modern music occurred in 1985; and it keeps getting more obvious, not less. 
8. Whoever said that “it’s always darkest before the dawn” knows a lot more about life then they do about science. 
9. There’s nothing more important to learn than math.
10. It’s not that you either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain, it’s that you ultimately get to a point where you realize that heroes and villains are the same people, viewed from different perspectives.
11. Calling someone stupid is NOT a political take, especially if they are, objectively (and purposefully) stupid. 
12. No one is coming to save you, but nevertheless, your salvation lies all around you.
13. I honestly think I could have done almost any job had I put my mind to it… except teaching K-12 school.  That #### is insane and doesn’t make sense at any number.
14. Wave to everyone in your neighborhood.  You never know when you’ll need their help, but it will be too late, then.
15. Sure, Gen X didn’t grow up with all the cool stuff that kids today have, but there are also no known photos of the many, many fashion mistakes I made along the way, so you can have your internet, and know that I’ve always looked this cool (as far as you know).
16. You have way more in common than your enemies than you think. 
17. If you can’t find your tribe, build one. 
18. Music is good for your soul; spend more time with it.
19. Give the benefit of the doubt generously.
20. After a lifetime of seeking out the apex undertaking of the modern man, I have come to believe it is to make them out of the boys in your charge. 
21. If you’re full, stop eating.
22. Board gaming has taught me a great deal, but most importantly is that there is always a move to make – even if that’s reaching across the table and accepting defeat with dignity and a smile on your face. 
23. No one is more terrifying than someone who will not stop getting up after they are knocked down.  Be more terrifying. 
24. Winning means nothing if you haven’t really lost anything.
25. Everyone around you is living an infinitely complex life.  Remember that when you deal with them.
26. Good teachers don’t really teach you anything other than how to teach yourself.
27. Never trust someone soliciting faith; in anything. 
28. Wear less jewelry.
29. Give compliments to strangers, and mean them.
30. Being busy and being productive are two very different things.  Only one of them is valuable and impressive.
31. If you can’t teach what you’ve learned, you don’t really know it at all.
32. Being angry doesn’t make any sense. Blame makes even less. 
33. Everyone deserves way more than 15 minutes of fame.
34. The most dangerous drugs in this world don’t come in chemical form. 
35. Make room for others. Always.
36. Don’t answer questions with questions. It doesn’t exempt you from answering, it just makes you look scared and guilty.
37. You can’t argue with “whataboutism” – because it’s not an argument, it’s the lack of an argument. 
38. The second best time to do anything you missed is right f***ing now.
39. Pick up the damn phone.  Also, answer the damn phone.  Texting is a terribly poor substitute for conversation.
40. Introverts and extroverts have a lot to learn from one another. 
41. Go to every reunion you can. Your excuse isn’t as good as you think it is.
42. Memories are the most valuable commodity in the world, and they cost nothing to create.
43. Selfies should always have more than one person in them.
44. Nothing feels better than being useful.
45. No matter what you might hear or see “reported” – the kids are not just going to be alright, they’re going to be great.
46. We live in the greatest version of this world that has ever existed.
47. When in doubt, the first thing to do, always – is breathe.
48. Let people be.  Also let them be something new.
49. There are no good reasons not to be and stay curious.
50. There is no correlation between wealth and intelligence.  There is one between wealth and personal growth. 
51. You can’t be nice all the time.  But you can be for most of it.
52. Live a life that makes you want to be at home with the people you love for every free moment you have; I finally do.