For me, turning 60 has been a clarifying experience.
As a journalist, I've always been taught to be objective. But with age comes a license to share personal beliefs.
Mark KennedyRecently, I've noticed a little voice in my head. It likes to wax philosophical. It's like part of my brain has been taking notes for six decades and has just cleared its throat to talk.
These musings sometimes come in the form of mental sermons or homilies. I'll call them Mark's Maxims.
Here are six.
» Haters gonna hate.
After attending hundreds of youth sporting events in the last two decades, I've noticed a distinct personality type. It's the parent who says absolutely nothing until their child's team starts to lose. Then - three, two, one - they explode.
As if on cue, they begin scrutinizing the officials. Any grievance will do - a close line call, incidental contact between players, bad hair - anything they can twist into a grievance. Instantly, they begin to shout and get red in the face. The crescendo of their emotions goes on and on. Their anger is insatiable.
It took me years, but I finally concluded: These people actually enjoy the experience of being mad. Conflict is a drug, and some people are clearly addicted. Oh, well.
» Stay too busy to hate.
I have a theory that a lot of the political and social conflict in America today is born of plain old boredom. I've always thought that Atalanta had the best tag-line ever: "The City Too Busy To Hate."
Busy people always seem to stay above the fray. Idle people argue a lot and pretend its work.
» Millions of Americans have won the lottery.
Chew on this stat from Fox Business: "You only need $4,000 to your name to be among the global top 50 percent (in net worth)." Also a net worth of about $93,000 puts you in the Top 10 percent in the world. About 102 million Americans are in this group, according to the report.
Plain talk, most Americans are wealthy by world standards. A little more gratefulness and a little less entitlement would do us all well.
» Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
There is one major caveat to this: The pursuit of excellence is virtuous, but the pursuit of perfection is ruinous. When in doubt: Keep it simple.
The moment that you decide that perfect results are attainable is the moment that you need to get a grip. Happy are those who find deep satisfaction with good results and don't overreach, overthink or overreact by chasing perfection.
View other columns by Mark Kennedy
» Be open to digital detox.
As virtual reality becomes better and better in our children's lifetimes, they may face the dilemma: Is it better to live in the real world or retreat to the virtual world. It's a lot like the choice to do, or not do, drugs.
If cute pet videos on social media hypnotize some of us, what are our defenses against all-out virtual reality. Next to nil, I'd say.
» Eat more cornbread.
If a meal of cornbread, pinto beans and sweet milk sounds appealing, you need never fear lifestyle regression.
So, in 11 words, strive to: Lighten up. Work hard. Feel grateful. Don't press. Unplug. Eat humbly.
Or, in summary: Keep it simple, stupid.
There, I said it. Now, maybe the little voice in my head will leave me alone.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645.