Ten life lessons I’ve learned from bouncing:
1. The loudest man in the room is the weakest. Silence speaks volumes.
2. You’re the villain in someone else’s story, and that’s okay. Sticking to your principles creates tension and conflict, it’s inevitable. And that’s okay.
3. You have absolutely no idea what you’re made of until you’re thrown into a situation that forces you to act.
4. Humans are naturally self destructive. If you “go with the flow” all the time, that flow will inevitably wash you down the river and over the waterfall. The landing at the bottom isn’t pretty.
5. The art of reading both people and situations is invaluable. Details make the difference. What isn’t said or isn’t there is just as important as what is.
6. “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” Always be polite. Always be firm. Your words carry more weight than you realize, and learning to use them is the biggest strength you’ll ever possess.
7. Hard work pays off, but the opportunities it presents may not always be the ones you initially expected.
8. Loyalty is the number one quality a person should be judged by. Respect all, but place your full trust in few.
9. The decisions you make in your life and the opportunities followed need to be chosen by you, for you. No one else can tell you what’s right for you and the way you live your life.
10. You can be a kind person and still tell people to go fuck themselves when necessary.