There is an old saying that the older you get, the smarter your parents look.

Throughout my mid-20s and into the early 30s I have understood that statement a little more every day.

At some point, you finally begin to realize they didn’t gain that knowledge overnight. It comes from years of life experience and a lot of trial and error.

The old phrase doesn’t just apply to parents. We can learn a great deal from any member of the generation ahead. They have lived through hard times and overcome them through determination and never giving up hope that things would eventually get better. Patience and a strong work ethic will never let you down. This generation is living proof.

Sometimes their lessons don’t necessarily fall into our laps. You have to listen. You might hear an old hunting story that applies to another aspect of your life. Tales about getting lost in the woods, having a standoff with a wild hog or even raising dogs have hidden messages that we can use every day. You just have to open your ears.

On that same note, there is no need to keep these lessons and others you learn from your own mistakes to yourself. There are a number of young people who need guidance and direction and any little piece of advice helps.

Something as simple as showing them an easier way to change a flat, the proper way to execute a bunt or even a fishing trip from time to time can make a world of difference to a young person.

Any situation that gives young people an opportunity to ask questions is also invaluable. For people with limited life experience and high hopes, the roadmap to success has to come from somewhere. Why not do your part to place a dot on that map.

It’s getting harder and harder for children to head in a positive direction when there are so many easy roads that point toward the negative.

It’s important that we help them learn from our mistakes before they make their own. Everyone has a skill. Everyone has the ability to use that skill to help make someone’s life a little easier. It’s time to put our life experience to work.

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