What's the best piece of advice you have ever received?

BoneKracker · Veteran Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1271 Location: U.S.A.

Beginning a new year, this would be a good time to share such things, I think. This is selfishly motivated, as I expect to learn something.

I'll start:

"Don't be so concerned about finding a purpose or figuring out the meaning of life. It's probably nothing more than a happy accident, so just think of your life as a gift to be made the most of."
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notageek · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 8:57 am Post subject:

Sorry BK, but WTF? You are concerned about finding out the meaning of life? Haven't you seen the Matrix?

The purpose of life is to end. -- Agent Smith.
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drizek · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 9:07 am Post subject:

I figured out what you said for myself.

Probably the best advice I can give is "there is (almost certainly) no god", which is along the same lines. It's so liberating.

I think I would have appreciated knowing when I was a lot younger that other people have feelings and that the world doesn't revolve around me. ie. "don't take things so personally". ie. "nobody gives a shit about you, actually. They're all too busy being selfish assholes."

"stop making excuses" is a good one too. Again, it was something I figured out myself, the hard way. I used to think that if I had a good reason for failing then that made it OK. Going along with the stuff I already wrote, the universe doesn't give a shit about whether or not it's "OK". You're the one that has to live with the consequences.

So, to sum,

"don't worry, be happy, and don't be lazy"

and if you're thinking of baking a pretty cake right now, you win an internet. And if you're really curious wtf I'm referring to, I can post a link.
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Frustie · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 9:12 am Post subject:

The answer to the meaning of life is to never stop learning.

As for me, the best advice i got is to stop worrying about what others think of me.

That takes a load off your shoulders

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BoneKracker · Veteran Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1271 Location: U.S.A.

notageek · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 9:17 am Post subject:

That's why I said sorry first.

TBH, I don't recall anyone ever giving me any advise that was worthwhile.
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What looks like a cat, flies like a bat, brays like a donkey, and plays like a monkey?

BoneKracker · Veteran Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1271 Location: U.S.A.

drizek · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 10:00 am Post subject:

aCOSwt · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:18 am Post subject:

Apart from purely scientific / technical matters, I do not remember having been formally advised.
All the advices I was given concerning other matters concerning life in general have always been implicit.

I mean phrases with no explicit moral statement / judgment. No you should, no its good to, no its evil, no better, no worse, nothing constructed as a statement ( Subject - to be (conjugated) - qualifier)...
When I appeared a little confused by the explicit content, advisers generally added something meaning qui habet aures audiendi audiat.

And I believe that this way of giving advices is, by itself, the best advice I have ever been given.

Telling that A is B to anyone is definitely useless as an advice because meaningless. The meanings of A and B are not identical for the two parts, the same for the meaning of to be.
If these 3 parameters had the exact same meaning for both, it would imply that their knowledge is strictly objective and therefore that the advice is worthless as an advice.

Leaving to the one you advise the responsibility / choice / freedom to understand A and B, to name A and B in his own language is, by far, much much more productive, even if they become A' and B'.
This way of providing advices has got the additional advantage of valuing the one who receives the advice in that the adviser displays the fact he trusts in the capabilities of his understanding, in the implicit-right use he will make of his freedom to understand.

BTW, one could easily find many occurrences of the use of this technique in OTW... :wink:

...
As well as...
A result for one or two individuals... who would tend to prove the value of another advice given a long time ago :
Nolite sanctum dare canibus, nec mittatis margaritas ante porcos ne conculcent pedibus et conversi dirumpant vos
:lol:

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aCOSwt · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:22 am Post subject:

notageek · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:29 am Post subject:

What do you call a man who laughs at his own jokes?
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What looks like a cat, flies like a bat, brays like a donkey, and plays like a monkey?

BoneKracker · Veteran Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1271 Location: U.S.A.

Pretty funny, in this case, Porco. :lol:
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Obama killed bin Laden like Nixon was the first man on the Moon.

aCOSwt · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:06 pm Post subject:

wildhorse · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 4:10 pm Post subject:

My advice: do not accept advice from US Americans.

Boris27 · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 4:16 pm Post subject:

Wear sunscreen.
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richk449 · Guru Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 345

Have to think about it more, but my first instinct is to go with "Life's not fair". It has taken me a long time to realize exactly what that means.

John-Boy · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 5:37 pm Post subject:

big dave · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:28 pm Post subject:

Old School · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:30 pm Post subject:

Don't waste time worrying over things you have no control over.

And brevity is the soul of wit.
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- Oscar Wilde

pjp · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 7:26 pm Post subject:

The advice thing is difficult. But just so I am not out of compliance :P, this will do for now. Don't sweat the small stuff, the big stuff is coming. Which might be good as long as you didn't start obsessing over the big stuff that may or may not be coming.

Trog Dog · Apprentice Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 276

the best advice comes from "that little voice" in your head that pops up from time to time that you're always too ready to dismiss - like you're packing/preparing for a trip and the idea pops into your head - should take (item x) - nah she'll be right won't need that, only going there/doing that - sure as shit turns out you should've packed it.
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cach0rr0 · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:02 pm Post subject:

http://www.spike.com/video-clips/s726fp/vasectomy-quartet

drizek · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:34 pm Post subject:

Actually, one genuinely useful piece of advice that someone else gave me is: "your credit card company makes money off of you. They want you as a customer. If they do something screwy, call them and yell at them and they will usually make things right".

I haven't had a single financial problem that I couldn't make go away. Never let them charge you any fees, decline you, etc. They will give in eventually. I got a late payment not reported and the penalty fee refunded. I got them to not charge me for my checking account and refund me the month they did charge me. And I got authorized for a credit card that I wasn't entirely qualified for.
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BoneKracker · Veteran Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1271 Location: U.S.A.

pjp · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 3:33 am Post subject:

If you're a good customer, they probably will waive an occasional late fee, etc. If it is habitual, probably not. With the new laws from congress, I bet banks will be less flexible on general fees. Like the new Thanks for banking with us, that'll be $5/mo fee.
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