Dear Next Generation: Insight From the Ages

Priceless pieces of advice and sage wisdom

Dear Next Generation, an advice column from readers to young people. Photo by Shutterstock

I have eight grandkids, all younger than the age of 5.

Two pieces of wisdom:

If what you do today shows up on the front of the newspaper tomorrow morning, would your mother be proud or disappointed?

It isn’t the things we do in life that we regret on our deathbed, it’s the things we don’t.

Jack Gerblick, Georgia

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Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Teaching your children or grandkids to think about their actions and reactions. Being calm and gentle in teaching them discipline, manners, and chores. Allowing them to speak their truths, listening and learning from them. Playing, singing, reading, and laughing with them. And that you love them with all your heart and soul!

Maggi Bruch, North Carolina

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My wife and I were given a plaque on our 25th anniversary that has several thoughts on it and bits of advice to live by.

Living Life

Life is not a race—but indeed a journey. Be honest. Work hard. Be choosy. Say “thank you,” “I love you,” and “great job” to someone each day. Go to church and take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you’ve been given, it is not accidental—search for your purpose and do it as best as you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you desire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them. Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself—plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you’ve been blessed to know. Live for today. Enjoy the moment.

Bonnie L Mohr and Steven Eckhoff

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“Know thyself,” most often attributed to Socrates, is the advice all young people should hear. As Ben Franklin wrote, “Observe all men, thyself most.”

A few pearls of wisdom to pass along are the following: Pray and work on a closer relationship with God, read the Bible and the classics, first know yourself and then be yourself, know your responsibility to your creator, give all you have to give, and be courageous. If possible try and get a good liberal arts education in history and literature and another language.

Karen Proctor, South Dakota

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What advice would you like to give to the younger generations?

We call on all of our readers to share the timeless values that define right and wrong and pass the torch, if you will, through your wisdom and hard-earned experience. We feel that the passing down of this wisdom has diminished over time and that only with a strong moral foundation can future generations thrive.

Send your advice, along with your full name, state, and contact information to [email protected] or mail it to: Next Generation, The Epoch Times, 229 W. 28th St., Floor 7, New York, NY 10001.