| Dear Former Student,
I learned that throughout the course that many of you are not majoring in earth science and that you have negative attitude towards this topic. I understand and accept that, since your were forced to do what you did not want to do. Let me explain my side of the coin. I believe that training your mind is never wasted time. Even if this is not your major field I hope you learned how to absorb a large amount of information, how to sort this information out and how to apply this information to solve situations or problems. I also hope that you feel that your personal value is higher now because of this experience.
I wrote a list what I believe it is important in life and let me give you this as my Farewell Advise. These are not proposed guidelines for you, only the essence of my life experience and you are quite welcome to disagree with them. So just take only what fits to you.
Live a full life. Do not be afraid to do what you feel you should do or are supposed to do.
Listen to your instincts. These will give you the best advise.
Do what you are good at. Find out and learn about your talents. Many people fall into the trap to prove for themselves and to the world they can do something even though they do not have any talent in that field. These people wasting their time and they will never achieve their true potential.
Do not be afraid to take a risk, however, be reasonable.
Work and enjoy life at optimum efficiency. Please remember optimum is always below maximum. If you target maximum most of the time you will burn out very soon.
Don’t be afraid to fail. However be prepared and learn from your mistakes. I hate the popular American expression "looser". If you never fail in your life your aims are very low. That is not healthy.
Be honest. At least to yourself and to those whom you feel close. I was a journalist and publisher for many years and the following is a journalistic expression. The truth is like a virus. It spreads quickly and there is no prevention against it. Keep it in your mind.
One of the most important abilities that everyone has to learn in life is how to make decisions and more importantly, how to make the right ones most of the time.
Learn how to focus your mind and your efforts.
When you made up your mind do not think about it any longer and start to work on your next project.
The most important decision in life to choose the right lifelong partner with whom you might have a child or children.
If you would not be afraid to be who you are your life will be exciting interesting and fulfilled.
So go and do what you feel it is your mission on this planet. Do not forget your fortune is in your hands. I wish you good luck, health and happiness on this endeavor.
Your Earth Science Instructor
Joseph
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