Pursuit of Happiness: A Survival Guide for Young Adults
Hello. Before I depart the human family, I want to share some of my thoughts with the world…especially with young adults who are not as set in their ways as older generations.
First, a little background. As a child, I loved watching science and nature documentaries on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). After high school, I was awarded an Air Force scholarship and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Indiana University. During my years in college, PBS released Carl Sagan’s Cosmos…which opened my mind to a higher level of exploration and conscientiousness. After college, I became an Air Force navigator in the KC135A (used to refuel other aircraft in flight)…my vision of 20/30 disqualified me from pilot training. However, once on active duty, I obtained a waiver. Three years later, I was accepted into pilot training and upon graduation was assigned to fly the KC-135Q. The “Q” model was designed to refuel the SR-71 spy plane. When off duty, I continued to study science, nature, and photography. After serving in the active-duty Air Force for more than a decade and obtaining a Master’s degree in aeronautical science, I started a civilian career as an assistant professor and joined the Air Force Reserve. Completing a career spanning 28 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, I retired in 2011 and devoted almost all of my time to photography.
If the reader is interested, here is an image of the author’s military rank, badges, awards and decorations:
In April of 2014, I was diagnosed with cancer. To take my mind off of this terrible diagnosis, I put even more energy into photography. It also made me think about other projects I wanted to complete before the clock ran out. One of those projects was to write a book to help young people transition into adulthood and become productive citizens. Although now I don’t have the time to write such a book, I do have time to give readers the CliffsNotes version. I’m also hopeful that readers will take my thoughts, build upon them, and perhaps someday create such a book.
OK, here we go.
Step 1. Study how the human brain develops and works. It will help you understand why you behave the way you do as well as why others are different. You will quickly realize how complicated the brain is with all its different components and that each of us has a unique brain and chemistry. Especially teenage brains, where the brain is not fully connected to all the different parts making them more prone to high-risk activities. Here are just two suggested books to read:
“Secrets of the Teenage Brain: Research-Based Strategies for Reaching and Teaching Today’s Adolescents”
by Sheryl Feinstein
“Brain: The Complete Mind: How it Develops, How it Works, and How to Keep it Sharp”
by Michael S. Sweeney · National Geographic
Netflix and other media outlets provide numerous documentaries on how the brain works…I’ve watched all of them found on Netflix and Amazon. I’m currently watching this subject matter on CuriosityStream.
The following website provides an excellent overview of the outer (lateral) and inner (medial) brain. Hover your computer’s pointer over different locations of the brain to find out what functions they have. Please take note that this is an average brain. Each child is born with a unique brain…some parts are bigger or smaller than other brains. For example, scientists have discovered that serial killers have many differences in the brain from non-violent people. In addition, the brain develops in many different ways based on the environment….a loving environment vs. a violent environment will produce very different brains as well. You would be wise not to provoke or argue with strangers; they could have a very violent brain. For example, consider road rage. Just relax, don’t tailgate, and avoid a mishap (the other driver could be armed)…call 911 for serious situations. Only after getting to know a person, do I start to introduce topics that may have been well indoctrinated into their brain as a child. If they become agitated, aggressive, or closed-minded, I’ll switch to a noncontroversial topic, ending the conversation in a low-emotional state, and move on to the next person.
Of course, brains can also be passive, active, lazy, energetic, etc. For example, Einstein’s brain was 15% larger than the average brain and had numerous other differences as well. The good news is that we can change the characteristics of our brain with understanding, diet, exercise, and behavior modification…scientists call this “brain plasticity”. In other words, the same brain you have today; you have the ability to develop and refine your brain, which can lead to greater happiness in many ways.
http://www.brainline.org/multimedia/interactive_brain/the_human_brain.html
Step 2. Please watch Carl Sagan’s “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage” with great focus…watch it several times so you thoroughly understand the concepts and all the misinformation many of us were taught as unquestioning children. Like most of the children on the planet, I was raised in a primitive/tribal environment. If I did not agree with my parents and tribe (religion and politics), I would’ve have been ostracized and few children want to endure their parents’ and tribe’s disapproval. So, we keep our differing views to ourselves or we end up like our parents…even if at our own expense. Furthermore, few people are ever encouraged to reevaluate or question their upbringing using the beauty of critical-thinking skills and the scientific method. Yes, it takes time and energy, but I would argue the empowerment that results, and one’s ability to improve their life and the lives of others, will amaze you…it’s the WOW factor with no limits.
Step 3. Watch the new “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson…it will build on the first Cosmos.
Step 4. Armed with the knowledge you now have on how the brain works and the concepts presented in Cosmos one and two, please reevaluate all the information you were exposed to as a child and the credentials of the people who gave you that information.
Step 5: Study the biology of the human sex drive. Dealing with sex as a young adult is especially difficult. Understanding the biology and methods to control it are extremely important. It will help you avoid frustration and unwanted pregnancies.
Step 6: The number of overweight and obese children and adolescences is high…causing many physical and mental issues for the individual. This will also cost the nation and taxpayers dearly. Exercise, diet, hobbies, and the arts are critical outlets for the brain and body. For example, hiking and taking photographs provides great joy for me. It’s fun to study all the details in an image…sometimes with wonderful surprises. For example, here’s an image of a broad-headed skink and a jumping spider on top of its head. When photographing the skink, I didn’t notice the spider, but it was such a joy to see that little critter in the image, as I studied the details, and share it with others. Other types of exercise, hobbies, and arts provide similar joy for people.
http://www.redbubble.com/people/worlddesign/works/15727916-broad-headed-skink-and-jumping-spider
Step 7: Studying all of the sciences will improve the function of your brain and you’ll be amazed by how many questions it will answer for you. It will also give you the skills to improve your life and lives of others. Don’t believe me? Well, at least give my suggestions a try.
Step 8: When it comes to employment and making a living, critical-thinking skills will help you to stay mobile and provide you with options, so you don’t feel pressured to accept low-paying jobs. For example, renting an apartment or home vs. owning a home, especially early in one’s career or when your job requires frequent contracts (like hospitals, schools, universities, large companies using contractors, government, etc.). In today’s economy, fewer-and-fewer jobs have long-term staying power in the same area. Falling in love with a location can greatly reduce your negotiation power and income potential or you end up traveling a great deal of time (an expensive arrangement for most). Having knowledge of the brain and science will also make you more competitive for most jobs. If you are considering a military career, be sure to research all of the branches carefully, including the U.S. Coast Guard, which often gets overlooked.
Step 9: Start saving for retirement as soon as you start to make any income…even $25 a month can have a big effect in forty years or more. Of course, as your income grows so should the amount you put away for retirement. One should also start to create a rainy-day fund so you can transition to a better job and deal with emergencies. I suggest you study Vanguard Mutual Funds…the fees are extremely low and members own the company. This is a rare arrangement in the world of finance. Disclosure: I’m not compensated in any way by this suggestion.
https://investor.vanguard.com/home/
Other benefits from the knowledge of science and critical-thinking skills:
They will protect you from people and organizations who profit from hate and radicalization (radicalization is a self-induced prison of the mind). You’ll also realize that no personal relationship or issue is worth suicidal thoughts. Relationships and issues must take a backseat to maintaining a healthy brain. If not, all parties lose. A healthy brain is maintained by a moderation of love, work, fun, and sometimes medical treatments. If you know how a healthy brain works, you will be far more likely to seek medical attention when indicated.
The universe is in a constant state of entropy and bad things happen all the time…a healthy brain understands that and copes with the challenges. For example, I consider humanity’s impact on Earth as just another violent event in the universe which I have very little control over. One must do the best they can in the time and space they are born into. I also take great comfort in the fact that the universe is a very BIG place and that humanity will never have the final word. Yes, the world has many issues to address, but one must have a realistic view of the capabilities and limitations of humanity or debilitating frustration and depression can result. It is what it is.
I hope you have found this article useful in obtaining and maintaining happiness or at least an interesting read.
Take Care, my Fellow Citizens,
William C. Gladish
Knowledge Seeker and Teacher
Thanks to the editors that helped with this article.
Permission to Copy: This article may be copied, linked, and distributed as the reader sees fit. However, it must be copied and used in its entirety. Thank you.
Appendix:
As I come across interesting videos on science or the arts, I’ll post them here:
The Meaning of Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7ltcHJybG8" target=”_blank”>The Meaning of Life</a>
Trip the Light
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvGRl1_I-no
To me, the song’s words, “We are all the glowing embers of a distance fire” is a reference to all the supernovas that created the heavier elements in the universe that makes up our bodies and all other life in the universe.
My Blue Boat Home