25. PETER JESSENS PERSONAL LIST of advice for young people
For the "Memories" book of my high school 40th anniversary reunion,
in September 1999, we were asked to answer 14 questions. My favorite
was: "what advice do you have for young people today?"
I answered with two lists, the first: "3 themes" and the
second: "10 propositions," designed to enable the reader
to better deal with the complexity of the "coordination problem,"
which Harry Bredemeier defines as: the problem of coordinating inter-dependent
role players in the teeth of their autonomy.
Three themes
(1) Develop and maintain good habits (physical, mental, relational)
(2) Read widely and deeply for personal and professional development;
and
(3) Carefully select those with whom you will associate (who you
hang out with).
The 10 propositions:
(1) Change is the only constant; be prepared to neither fight
or flee but go with the flow
(2) Without instincts for human social interaction we have
to create instinct substitutes: roles. That's why we are creatures
of habit. The key: don't break role. Create good habits
that lead to personal and professional success, not defeat
(3) Live by these 7 key words or phrases to live by/take
action with (see me for others):
(3-1) Kindness to others
(3-2) Positive mental attitude
(3-3) Lead others through making/following lists and through
collaborative empowerment
(3-4) Equitable justice/sovereignty/conflict resolution,
and reconcile relationships;
(3-5) Read daily! Charlie Jones has stated that we
will be the "same people today as you'll be in five years, except
for two things: the people you meet and the books your read."
"Leaders are readers." Read daily on leadership in order to
ensure personal and professional growth and development. In other
words, watch out what ideas you let your mind hang out with. On
the flip side: watch out regarding what people you hang out with,
and stay away from those who are negative, abusive, and/or who are not
supportive and who work to kill your dreams
(3-6) "
do justice, & love kindness, &
walk humbly with your God" (OT Micah 6:8)
(3-7) What can be done to foster love, joy, peace,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control?
(NT: Gal. 5:22-23)
(4) You are what you think: whether you think you can
or cannot, you are correct
(5) As you are a mind with a body, train the mind as much
as the body
(6) Associate with people who are positive, uplifting, and
encouraging
(7) Evaluate any social change program or agenda in terms
of a "calculus of meaning" and a "calculus of pain"
(8) In terms of your life's vision's goals and plans for
achieving those goals, frequently ask what your GPA (goals per action)
is, and, in light of your answer, ask Brandon's question: "Am
I confident that this is the way I want to invest my time and life?"
(9) Don't just hope, ACT: in Teddy Roosevelt's words,
"dare mighty things" even if you fail; get "in the arena,"
and accept the errors that accompany all efforts, as it is better to fail
and suffer and be alive than to avoid so that one "neither enjoys
much nor suffers much" as they "know not victory or defeat."
Thus, have "great enthusiasms, great devotions," "spend
on a worthy cause," and know at least "the daring that resulted
in failing and strive for "the triumph of achievement," and
thus
(10) In Peter Berger's phrase, make sure you stand up for the principle
that "Nothing should be taken so seriously that it be allowed to
supercede one's capacity for laughter."
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