Life lessons

Life's a lot simpler than many folks would have you believe.

I hate to be the one to have to tell you this but a big part of the problem is "education." Now don't get me wrong, education is great for those who use it to prepare for their life's work.

But, sadly, that's not what always happens. Every year, millions of dollars of American money is wasted on kids, just out of high school, who are spending their money and that of their parents on a bunch of baloney courses at colleges and universities all across this great land.

This ain't doing nobody no good.

What we need to do, I believe, is get off this intellectually ineffective way of thinking and get back to some basic philosophies of life.

I grew up on the edge of the Ozarks, between two towns - Stotesbury and Montevallo - that were so small they weren't even listed on the Missouri state map. In such a secluded, backward place you might think I was deprived, but - looking back - I think I was a lot luckier than those boys who grew up in the lap of luxury.

Why do I think that? Because when life's lived at a slow pace, people have a chance to ponder the great questions of life: "Why are we here?," and "What is our meaning and purpose?"

My greatest teachers were the old boys who sat on the benches on the Nevada, Missouri city square, whittling away as they talked to me about life. Here are some of the things they told me, and the lessons still ring crystal-clear in all that I do and say.

The lessons for living are:

1. Be nice to everyone.

2. Slow down.

3. Learn how to shirk*

4. Look before you leap.

5. Don't buy stuff you don't need.

6. Don't brag about yourself.

7. Quit when you're ahead.

8. Give compliments often.

9. Treat every one as an equal.

10. Expect the best ... always.

Hopefully, you noticed that I put an asterisk after Life Lesson Number Three. I did so because a few people didn't know what I meant and I thought I better explain.

In the old days, "shirk" meant the same thing as "screwing off" does today. The advice came from my Dad. At 13, I took a job stocking shelves and carrying out groceries at Karbe's Super Market. Every night, after work, I came home dog tired.

Finally, Dad had had enough. "Son," he said, "you're going to have to learn how to shirk," by which he meant "don't work so hard." I realize you folks in Nebraska and Kansas have a better work ethic, but -- down in Missouri --we were a lot more prone to laziness than you are.

That being said, I'd like to close with a couple of life lessons I have picked up here in the Golden Plains of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. Actually, for the sake of accuracy, I have to admit that I picked these up off a bumper sticker the night before last.

Here goes: Life Lessons ... continued:

11. Find time for family.

12. Always ... always, give praise.

And, finally, for now, I will close with a concept that should have been revolutionary but was mis-applied as a money-making scheme by its originator: Glenn Turner.

That concept is:

13. Dare to be great.

Happy living. Hope these hints are a bit of a help to you.