The road to hell is paved with good intentions

You wake up in the morning with a song in your heart, thinking today is gonna be the day. Today you will conquer the world. Today, you will do good, you will make it happen, you will change the world.

And then you go to sleep dejected, because you didn't even try.

I was gonna go to a neighbor's wedding, but I didn't, because I came back late from class. I was gonna pay my teacher a shiva call, but I didn't, because I excused myself saying that I didn't know her that well.

I was gonna do so many things. Like learn a new language. And travel the world. Make a discovery. Become a volunteer at a soup kitchen. Work with disabled children. Donate blood. Ride a motorcycle. Meet my favorite actor.

And now, 71 years later, I find myself at 90. And the only thing on that list I did was learn French. Now I know the numbers from 1-10, and the days of the week.

I'm joking, of course. I am only 19. Thank G-d I have my whole life ahead of me, and despite my brother's claim that anyone who ever became famous did it before they hit 20, I know I still have a chance.

Okay let's try this: make yourself a list of the top 20 things you want to attempt or accomplish before you turn ____. I would put the range at 5 years. And look at it every once in awhile, and encourage yourself to do them.

If that includes getting a tattoo, or shaving your head, sky diving, or going on an archaeological dig, meeting the president, or running naked in the street, then by all means, include it on your list. Just make sure to put that very low down, cuz you might never actually get to it.

Be creative, be true to yourself. Write stuff down that you know in your heart you want to do, but would never admit to anyone. Like if you want to become a chef, but you think all your friends would think of you as a sissy.

At the end of the day, you don't want any regrets. So start now, and turn all your intentions into actualization.

Do it! (That was supposed to be said with a very scary face, like when I want my little brother to do what I say.) Get off the couch people!