Hey Kid,

When was the last time you learned something that was interesting enough for you to remember? Did someone teach it to you? Did you learn it on your own? Was it in school or in the wild?

We are born to learn. Natural curiosity is apparent at all stages of life, from baby-you finding your thumb for the first time to teenage-you learning to drive...AAH! Even within difficult environments like a boring class or when you have a mean teacher, kids learn. You find a way to survive. Sometimes it doesn't feel like you will find a way even though you have caring grown-ups in your lives, including your parents and teachers, and a few best friends who help you feel better when you're sad, angry, or stressed. I know those people are fine and good, but if my memory of being a kid is correct, every once in awhile you have to make it on your own. Every once in awhile you feel very alone.

In an effort to maintain my rep as that "one kinda random, somewhat cool adult who comes into town, stays at our house and drops knowledge bombs," please take the following bits of advice-you-didn't-ask-for under consideration. Feel free to ignore them (and me as I eat your last Strawberry Frosted Pop Tart).

* Find a buddy. Adults have trouble blaming more than one kid for stuff when it goes wrong. Strength in numbers. Make a few good friends with those who you share some ideas (and hopefully your taste in music). Try new stuff. Fail miserably. Have each other's backs. Learn together.

* Enliven your senses. Listen, taste, feel, smell, and see as much as possible AT ALL TIMES. There may be occasions when certain ways to experience the world may not be available. If all your senses are keen, you will still feel free to discover and learn.

* Question everything. The most important skill that will help you do many awesome jobs and have fantastic adventures is developing a questioning way of being. Two of my favorite questions are "Why?" and "Who does that benefit?"

You know, I used to say something like "Rules exist only for those who choose to follow them." I don't think much about the rules anymore. Now I say, "Freedom exists wherever it's sought."

Whether you're in school or in the wild, you can always find a way to learn if you seek it. So be a seeker, kid. When you find something cool, let me know and I'll be in motion. I'll seek you.

GNA