Someone in my office posted a note on our closed Facebook group a couple weeks ago, and it said “If you could go back in time, what advice, in just four words, would you give your 16-year-old self?”

I think she thought I was just being funny when I posted pretty much what I thought everyone might be thinking.

“Don’t drink tequila. Ever.”

Unfortunately, it’s pretty true, even though I should have probably told myself that at 15. And again at 18, 20, 23 and 28.

But tonight, I really had nothing to write about, and so as I was sitting here waiting for my beef vindaloo to heat up in the oven, I saw a couple pictures I’ve had on my desk for a while. They’re of me from when I was like age 2 and maybe 5 or 6. I like them. The younger one is me squatting on some steps, another is me playing with my turtle pillow on the floor and one with my dad holding me up on my shiny, new, purple bike, my first one. It still had the bows, one on each of the banana handles those bikes in the ’70s had. The reflector on the front was sparkly from the Polaroid flash and the nick-knacks on the wall behind us were so Archie Bunker-esque.

At some point, I may put them up on the wall, but they seem to fit in on my desk. It’s where I keep a lot of things that remind me of where I came from. An empty Old Style can. A Pabst Blue Ribbon can made into a candle that I received as a gift. A picture of me and my brothers and sisters last year at my step-dad’s funeral. The memory cards from the funerals of my two buddies who passed away last year. It’s just little reminders to keep grinding, stay true to myself, and remember who’s got my back. I may never live there again — actually, I will never live in Illinois again, but it doesn’t mean I want to forget it.

So, what would I really tell myself if I could go back? What have a I learned that I wish I knew sooner?

I can’t get that list out of my mind and onto the Interwebs in 30 minutes like I’ve allotted for myself here. I’ve been lucky as hell to live the life I have, and I know it. I don’t take it for granted one minute but I sure as hell am trying to enjoy it.

I think sometime this year, before the end of 2018, I’ll get that list out of my mind. It probably should come in the form of an obituary. I’ve always wanted to write one, and people say it’s the hardest thing for someone to write about themselves. So, we’ll see. I probably have a few things that stick out that’d make it interesting.

What would you tell yourself? If you could go back and give one piece of advice to a younger you, what would it be? Leave a comment here or put it on the Facebook post you likely clicked here from. I’m curious what sticks out for others.