Rewinding Time's Tape: Dispensing Wisdom to a Younger Self

Imagine being granted a one-way ticket back to your youth, knowing everything you do now—what would you do differently? As I watched my son sprint across the soccer field, a flood of what-ifs and I-wish-I-knews washed over me, leading to a heartfelt exploration of the wisdom age has bestowed upon us. In a candid conversation that spans two decades of life's highs and lows, I open up about the emotional minefields of our twenties, from the perilous search for acceptance in relationships to the misconceptions surrounding masculinity. Through stories and reflections, I offer up the advice I'd give my younger self: the significance of emotional intelligence, the cornerstone of self-love, and mastering one's professional sphere with targeted certifications and expertise. 

This stroll down memory lane isn't just about nostalgia; it's an excavation of life lessons that shaped the road to self-discovery. Departing the electric hum of New York City set the stage for an evolution in personal and physical health, proving that environment can be as influential as mindset. I share the intimate details of my encounter with spirituality and the profound impact of meditation and prayer in forging a connection with something greater than ourselves. Unpacking the influence of upbringing and religion, I compare the mind to a computer system—programmable and adaptable. The mantra "I am who I say I am" isn't just a phrase; it's a testament to the transformative power of belief and the conscious effort to craft not only a professional resume but a life resume that echoes our truest selves.

Transcript

Reflecting on Youth and Advice

Speaker 1 0:01

to be young again . And if this video made it to you and you've ever felt that way , if even for just a second , do me a favor , real quick comment on this video with that simple line to be young again , because we're all human and the reality is we all have a childhood , and if , even just for a second , we know that if things were just slightly different growing up , if only we knew then what we know now , man , oh man , what a difference it could make . And so today I'll be speaking as my 42-year-old self , because that's who I am , just a 42-year-old dude trying to do things . And I'll be speaking to my 22-year-old self , giving him advice , playing the game of what if ? That we all play as we delve into the memories of our wonderful past . So hopefully you're watching or listening and , regardless of age , bring along a younger you for the ride through nostalgia . We can learn some things along the way , and I believe , if you stay to the end , you'll walk away from this inspired to not just reflect on what could have been , but take away from this what you will no longer allow to be , if for no other reason than you now know what you didn't back then . And I want to start with a brief story of how I got to this talk , the inspiration and motivation for what got me here .

Speaker 1 1:37

And it occurred yesterday , which was Sunday , because today's Monday , that's how the world works and it was while I was with my wife and we were watching my son play soccer for his travel team . And this was a home game , which was beautiful because the field is like three minutes from my house , up the hill and around the corner , and the field , the soccer field , is technically a baseball field , it's a turf field and they put out the goals on what technically would be the outfield turf by stretching them between , if you know , baseball , left field and center field . I never know which way to go on this thing . Anyhow , it was cold , a bit rainy and windy , which sucked , and it was just about a noon start time , but there was no sun at all . It was just dreary , cold , rainy day . But , of course , all proud parents had their chairs pulled out , sipping on their lattes , their cappuccinos and their hot chocolates , right , cheering for their kids , and it was a beautiful scene , like most child events are . It's just a wonderful thing , right ? A bunch of 10 and 11-year-olds running back and forth , kicking the ball around , either trying to stop the ball from going into a big white net or get it into the big white net .

Speaker 1 2:42

And while this is happening , standing right next to my wife watching her watch the game and she , very matter-of-factly , I could see her eyes kind of drifting off in a thought , all kinds of possibilities running through that brain . She takes a deep breath , lets it out real slow and looks at me With great pause and suspense she deserved an Oscar . Ever so gently , she says to me and I can feel it man , to be young again and redo things , how different would it be ? Do I have your attention ? Cause now I'm going to take 42 year old Jeff , transition to the 22 and and I'm going to get right into the dirty . Dirty that's always fun .

Speaker 1 3:29

Here you go , jeff , at 22 . Your greatest quality will be the greatest cause of your pain you are selfish , and selfishness can be and should be and will be done in the right way for us eventually . But at 22 , the majority of your selfishness resolves around deeply dark emotional and social gaps . You crave acceptance and because of this you will abuse many , many , many , many . Relationships which will feel good in the moment might even give you superficial manly bragging rights meaning it will surfacely align with the cultural misconception of a man being a man . For the record , take this where you want , but this is not intended to be intimate at all , but it's still crucial to the conversation . Your secret desire to live a life that is materially , visually and psychologically aligned with bragging rights will be the source of all your nightmares and immense pain in the future . So my advice be selfish all the time by seeking emotional intelligence , maturation and self-love . That's how we're going to start to roll with all right .

Speaker 1 4:44

Let's get into knowledge . You were right . You are right College isn't required to live a very nice life . You have an entrepreneurial mindset . But you were also right you can live a very nice , comfortable and fulfilling life , financially in particular , without going to college and without being a rap star . You're going to thrive in your nine to five grind For where your career is going to take you . Over the next 20 years . You will reach VP level title and salary even without a formal education . You don't need college , however . This is knowledge . Start your certification process early , because what you do need what you figure out but takes almost a decade is formal and very specific knowledge in your field , formal and very specific knowledge in your field . Essentially , treat your profession like a trade . Get all certifications , attend seminars and conferences and absorb any form of content that provides specific and intentional knowledge in your field . In short , become an expert in what you do . More fun Relationships Everyone you know right now , including most family , will not be in your life while you evolve .

Speaker 1 5:56

Not saying people , family and relationships aren't important , but you don't need anyone around you right now to get the levels you seek . In fact , the large majority of people around you right now are dimming your light now , are dimming your light , and you are selecting them to feed your dark side . The fear you have of acceptance is certainly valid and should be addressed , but the relationship that will allow you to flourish is with the person you said I do to Keep her in the forefront at all times . You'll eventually figure this out . A little more about yourself . You have an addictive personality . Alcohol and drugs feel really good . For some reason , I get the feeling somewhat better for you than most people , so stay the fuck away from it . Not only is it clearly not good for you , but by not avoiding this , you are putting the absolute shittiest version of yourself on repeat . So , for fuck's sake , avoid this .

Speaker 1 6:57

Risks Another one of your greatest traits . Ironically , the majority of risks you take will be of great benefit to you . However , there will be some risks that you avoid . Don't do that . Mistakes happen and are generally acceptable , but try and make better ones . This will make sense for you by not avoiding risks any risks because the ones that you seem , or that seem , to be presented to you , are opportunities to elevate you and will work for you .

Life Lessons and Self-Discovery

Speaker 1 7:29

Environment Get out of New York sooner . The greatest place in the world , new York City , will forever be in your fabric and forever , at the same time , be a limiting factor in your evolution . Everything changes for us when we move and change our . You Love life . Work out a lot all the time . It helps you live longer and that beer belly you get it haunts you Even when you lose it , because that sixpack doesn't just pop back up , that sucks Buddha at the bottom .

Speaker 1 8:06

Finally , and I believe most importantly , consciousness and God . There's a professional resume and a life resume , and until you teach yourself , you are living as someone else . Working in IT , information technology , which is a logical space , made all the sense in the world for us , why Consciousness equates to creation as it creates your mind . Your mind is a logical space that operates like a computer system . That computer system is being programmed , manipulated and having software downloaded to it at all times . How you were raised , religion , sports , environment , that whole third grade thing , people , places and things all have an effect on how you perceive your life . So because it functions like a machine and computer system , you can teach it , program it , manipulate it and download whatever information and feelings , emotions that you want .

Speaker 1 9:15

Meditation is the most important discovery you can make for yourself . Prayer is the most vital tool in your arsenal . Finding God on your terms , in your own view , from your own perspective , will launch everything forward and you will never look back . So there you go , me at 22 . There is a whole lot more to this life thing , but shaping these perspectives for us will save you in a lot of ways . But then again , thank you 22 , because without you not only would I not proudly be who I am at 42 , but I wouldn't be so confident about us at 62 . Blessings to all . Change your mind , change your life . I am who I say I am . Stay rich .