Uncle G's Tips for Teens - Volume 1

Thus begins my series of honest advice to those that will listen...or read.  Volume one:  Pruning.

I hope you all know what happens when you prune a bush or a tree.  The dead, weak and unwanted areas are stripped away, thus making the remaining stronger.  Or, as the dictionary states: Trimming or removing what is superfluous.

I would like to take this practice and move it to all areas of life.  I really think we all could do some pruning.
Di-clutter.  Get rid of the crap in your house and keep only what has real value.  If you have read the book...lose it.  Still have that concert t-shirt from 1987?  Come on.
Eat less food but make it better and much better for you.
Do less, but do it better.
Drink less alcohol but drink only the best wine, beer and cocktails.  Wouldn't you much rather have a couple really good glasses of wine instead of 12 Coronas?

And, cut some of the dead weight friendships and acquaintances and concentrate on making the good friends you have better, lifelong friends.  You know about whom I speak.  Everyone has that guy.  You know, the guy from the place that time oh so long ago.  You speak every few months...when you forget to screen his call.  He does all the talking about his life, never asking about you.  Uh huh.  Yeah.  That's cool.  Totally.  If the time you waste on those types of relationships was spent with others for whom you care more, wouldn't that be time better spent?

Sound heartless?  Tough love.  Get used to it.  This is what we all need to do.  Our lives of quantity over quality have created way too many fast food chains, three way calling over bluetooth, invitations to weddings you have no intention of attending but for which  you still have to buy a meaningless gift and, of course, the possibility of getting that "hey, I need you to bail me out of jail" 3am phone call from a guy who is simply a guy you knew from that place that time oh so long ago.