Life Lessons

My body always grew before my mind,
and my spirit lagged behind an equal distance
three-quarters grown up by twenty six
with the final sprint a frantic climb
I feel eighty five, with the mind of a teen
and spirit of a child;
this last year I learned more
than all my time combined,
thanks to Professor Death
and Dr Depression,
anxiety meds and true confessions
there's lessons in life I wasn't expecting
so here's some without the side effects:

1. Death is a relief for the departed, and painful for the left behind. My fear of death now blessed with anticipation of warm welcomes at the other end. I imagine all the gone ones are friends now.

2. Love is like petrol, sets things on fire and gets cars moving; but we humans need our hearts checked, inspections done, tyres changed and driving lessons made to navigate this sea of damaged chassis, take responsibility for some crashes and get insurance for third parties to ensure we remain accountable for others we scratch. Also, too much fuel can be a bad thing, but no one ever tells you that.

3. Ask for help with your mental health - tell the judgement brigade to rain on someone else's parade, this shit isn't for attention.

4. Speak your truth and defend your perspective, put your hand up when you've failed and let your maker take care of the rest, just do your best.

5. Get a pet

6. Learn your sex and what you like most, this could be your best medicine and you don't know it yet. Sexual healing is real, and the doctor is your orgasm.

7. Stop asking permission for your vision for your life, there are those who would hold you down and those who would raise you high, aim for the latter, be ruthless in demanding your needs be met and get real with yourself when the magic ain't there. Get square with your childhood dreams even though it seems the world is pushing you to grow up.