"Life is Good - Once You Know How." (Survival Tips for Young Adults)
By Terry W Parsons and Jennifer Parsons
()
About this ebook
Excerpts of the book provide a preview of the intent of the authors: to provide consideration for positive change for the 18-35 year old who is discouraged, dismayed and perhaps disillusioned.
Nowhere is it written that life has to be fair.
We live in an imperfect world—MOVE ON.
The earlier you accept that premise the better. It may seem inherently clear to you that life should and could be perfect—if only others agreed and behaved as you assume they would (because YOU have been taught to do what is best and correct). Learn to recognize imperfection as an unfortunate “given” but acceptance does not equate with approval. You will be frequently forced to lower your EXPECTATIONS of others, but never lower your STANDARDS. The “Dumbing Down of America” (2) has muddied values long thought to be rock solid and timeless. You will find yourself on numerous occasions possessing a minority opinion amidst a world of dubious--at best--values, but never abandon your principles.
Living among an imperfect world never precludes aiming for perfection in YOUR corner of that world—what you can control, control.
When overwhelmed by all of life’s imperfections quietly recite the prayer: “Grant me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference.” (Reinhold Niebuhr—“The Serenity Prayer”.)
“Forgive and forget” is a quality you must develop and practice—bearing grudges and hurt will drag YOU down until and unless you can forgive.
“You’re #1!”
Take care of yourself FIRST and always—no one else will. Be active lifelong, eat wisely, shun worry, and life will be better and longer. It has been established that genes play a minor role in longevity—up to 80% of the determinants for a long life lie in HOW you live it. Researchers per the classic “Alameda Seven” study (3) found adherence to 6-7 of the following lifestyle tenets can lead to 11 1⁄2 years LONGER life than for those practicing only 2-3 of them:
--Exercise regularly
--Do not smoke
--Avoid alcohol, but if you decide to drink do so in moderation
--Maintain ideal weight
--Eat regular meals and avoid between meal snacking
--Eat breakfast everyday
--Sleep the same 7-8 hours every night
You CAN enhance longevity potential, and you CAN control quality of YOUR life. Expect no one to guide or coerce you—only you are commander-in-chief of your lifestyle choices.
“Managing Money 101”
Manage your money wisely so your money does not manage you. Be prudent if not frugal, “watch your pennies and you’ll never have to watch your dollars.” Do not spend to impress or to satisfy any and every yearning for material things—recognize early that neither happiness nor genuine wealth dwells in “toys”, cruises, lavish vacations or multiple homes. Seek to live a comfortable life, one you can truly afford. Living just slightly BELOW your means will contribute to peace of mind—far more crucial than amassing material “valuables.”
Thoughtfully build a budget and follow it, meet required financial obligations first (e.g. rent or mortgage payment, utilities, insurance premiums, food, etc.), set aside 10% or more as savings—THEN allot the remainder for “discretionary spending.” Regrettably you will discover many of your peers practice the reverse in managing their money.
Open checking and savings accounts with a reputable bank with free ATM access, maintain a balanced checkbook, utilize “automatic payroll deposit” option with your employers, activate an “auto-save” feature such that 10% or more of your regular income is deposited into your savings account (“if you never see it you’ll never miss it”), become familiar with your bank’s customer service representative so you have immediate assistance if/when needed or desired.
Tap whatever techniques possible to help you...Live BELOW your means.
Terry W Parsons
Jennifer C. M. Parsons, Ed. D. is currently a professor of Sports Leadership and Administration at Ashland University (OH). Earning twelve varsity letters in volleyball, basketball and softball she is enshrined in the Wittenberg University (OH) Hall of Honor (2008). She holds a B.S. in Biology and Physical Education from Wittenberg, a M. S. in Exercise Science from Arizona State University and the Ed.D. in Leadership and Educational Administration from Ashland University.Terry W. Parsons, Ph. D. is retired following a thirty year career in university teaching, athletic coaching andadministration. Publisher of thirty manuscripts while engaged as department chair, assistant dean and wellness/recreation center director following a university coaching career, he holds a B. A. in Mathematics from Denison University (OH), a M. Ed. in Health and Physical Education from Bowling Green University (OH), and the Ph. D. in Physical Education and Teacher Education in Higher Education from The Ohio State University.
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"Life is Good - Once You Know How." (Survival Tips for Young Adults) - Terry W Parsons
Life is Good - Once You Know How.
(Survival Tips for Young Adults)
Terry W. Parsons, Ph. D
and Jennifer C.M. Parsons, Ed. D.
Published by Terry W. Parsons, Ph. D. and Jennifer C. M. Parsons, Ed. D. at Smashwords
Copyright © 2015 Terry W. Parsons and Jennifer C. M. Parsons
Thank you for downloading this e-book. This book remains the copyrighted property of the authors and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes.
Prologue
Life begins with drama and proceeds with hope; however we all quickly discover…Instructional manual not included.
Experience may be the best teacher but that teacher often works in the School of Hard Knocks
. The authors have compiled ten real-life topics facing the contemporary young adult, with ten succinct offerings of advice per each topic in an attempt to help the reader begin to make sense of an ultra complex world. Determining who I am and who I want to be, defining my core values, enhancing personal relationships, selecting THE marriage partner, improving financial literacy, work vs. career
, nurturing lifelong curiosity, balancing work-family-play, the college decision, selecting a college major, etc. are among the chosen topics.
This book is a primer
—each chapter could well be a book or books; the reader is encouraged to research in far greater detail via printed and/or online sources as topics strike an interest.
Not all topics will appeal to, or be accepted by all readers but it is our sincere hope that readers applying various measures herein will discover that…Life IS good, once you know how.
Dedication
Grandson/nephew Casey W. Parsons is our original targeted audience
, the reason for our writing. We proudly dedicate this book in his honor, and to his future.
Table of Contents:
Prologue
Chapter 1. Perspective, Perspective, Perspective
Chapter 2. Choosing a Life Mate—THE Decision of One’s Life
Chapter 3. Married, With Children?
Chapter 4. Financial Literacy
Chapter 5. Values-Driven Life vs. A Lifetime of Valuelessness
Chapter 6. Work or Career?
Chapter 7. Play = Joy with Benefits
Chapter 8. The College Years: Preparation and Promise
Chapter 9. Lifetime of Exploration— A Spirited Journey or a Dead End Trek?
Chapter 10. Overview—Quotes and Quips for Living Well
Epilogue
References
Chapter 1
Perspective, Perspective, Perspective
1. Decide who you are.
Your life will be whatever you will it to be, and only you can truly direct
your life. Do not wait for or permit others to determine--influence yes, dictate no--your attitude/lifestyle/appearance/career/dreams/longevity/etc. YOU are in full command of your purpose, choices, outlook and destiny. Carefully decide what you are and what you want to be, then take command.
Life IS competitive; recognize early that…somebody will win this; it might as well be me.
Negative thinking leads to nowhere and frankly…You can’t afford the luxury of a negative thought.
(1).
All of life requires risk-taking. Embrace risk. Take challenges on full-bore. When thrown into an imposing role you sense to be outside your capability, weigh the hope-for-success vs. fear-of-failure balance
, then tackle the challenge with grit and resolve. You will be stunned that somehow, someway you will rise to meet the task, and in the process discover qualities you had no idea you possessed. Many shy away, falter and fail to try—they exist
but don’t truly live.
Criticism? Of course but little will be just, far more will be unjust. Ignore the critics, they only sit and critique. Only the true doers are in the arena.
(Theodore Roosevelt)
Do not wake up at 60 years of age some fine day to suddenly realize that you have done nothing remarkable with your life. Leave a mark
that will be remembered; leave countless deeds that helped others; leave the earth a better place than when you arrived.
If you limit your actions to things that nobody can possibly find fault with, you will not do much.
(English author Charles L. Dogdson—1832-1898).
2. Nowhere is it written that life has to be fair.
We live in an imperfect world—MOVE ON.
The earlier you accept that premise the better. It may seem inherently clear to you that life should and could be perfect—if only others agreed and behaved as you assume they would (because YOU have been taught to do what is best and correct). Learn to recognize imperfection as an unfortunate given
but acceptance does not equate with approval. You will be frequently forced to lower your EXPECTATIONS of others, but never lower your STANDARDS. The Dumbing Down of America
(2) has also muddled values long thought to be rock solid and timeless. You may well find yourself becoming… increasingly intolerant of those who have grown too tolerant
. You will find yourself on numerous occasions possessing a minority opinion but never abandon