I already posted this video a while ago here. But today I found out that the original video is the one below. I also found out that the lyrics are taken from a famous essay — written in 1997 by Mary Schmich, a columnist with the Chicago Tribune — which gives some amazing advice for life. The article is called: “Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young” and can be found here . It’s amazing what you can find out with a little research.
Baz Luhrmann – Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) – the original video
Enjoy the transcript:
Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they’ve faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don’t worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don’t waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long and, in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else’s.
Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don’t be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents. You never know when they’ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They’re your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you’ll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you’ll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair or by the time you’re 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Sub-Radar-Mike said:
Flossing and stretching… two things I definitely need to do more of.
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D4 said:
A little bit of research can make things more interesting. It's always nice to watch this, anyway. 🙂
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mjunta said:
I donn't know what is first but original is good.
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My 2 Pesos said:
Sunscreen? I've never worn it. D:
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Ting Kubby said:
Worrying about the future, i should do less of that.
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Jason said:
Great video! Really enjoyed watching it! Thanks for the update
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Milky said:
Hmm so I need to dance ey.. Time to try and copy Will Smith's moves, AH YEAH.
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Leelee said:
oh! I have heard this one many times. 🙂 its inspirational. 😀 *hugs*
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Mr Jack House said:
Of every virtue gives renown to men! Following!
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DWei said:
This looks familiar. Were these written on a bag by any chance?
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Bloggerage said:
these quotes are so true 😮
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Rob said:
haha no flossing here
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NameBrands said:
lol its like subtitles 😛
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Viorel said:
I listened this one (few wise ideas) last week, or two weeks ago, at Radio Guerrilla with Petru and it was a pleasure to remember it…
Regards
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Talerfuchs said:
Never respect anything in return. That is so true.
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Graffiti Update said:
take it one day at a time and live for the now
following and supporting
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1904 Blogger said:
Don't expect anyone else to support you.
this^
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Gerhald said:
The secrets to a happy life: money, money, money! :))
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nowaysj said:
This is pretty extensive, and being linked by me profusely.
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Shockgrubz said:
Research? What is that? Just kidding, props for getting some background on this. I always wondered.
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Lot's Wife said:
I see how you snuck flossing in there. I'm wise to your tricks! Just as I'm getting into the elated feeling of soon-to-be self-fulfillment, BOOM! Don't forget to floss. +follow
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coneforce said:
good advices !!! nike your blog.. it's educating…following!
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Anna said:
They made this into a song that used to give me goosebumps. WIsh the bit about realising that in your 20s you are never so beautiful hit home with so many girls today. You ARE beautiful…all of you.
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Mihaela said:
nice pic…
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