# Dear Future Children *By [Ansh Chokshi](https://anshchokshi.com) · Mar 6, 2026 · 2 min read* Canonical: https://anshchokshi.com/write/dear-future-children --- A few things I've learned about life the hard way. I hope they help you live it well. Not rules, just reminders for living a meaningful life. 1. Be kind, well-spoken, and thoughtful. 2. Think before you speak. Words stay longer than you think. 3. Read, Write, Build, Reflect, Train. Do it daily. 4. Take risks and get uncomfortable from time to time. That's where growth hides. 5. Health is your greatest asset. Protect your mind and body. 6. Believe in your gut and instinct. They're usually right. 7. Love requires sacrifices. The real kind always does. 8. Don't wait for things to be perfect. Enjoy the process and make friends with imperfections. 9. Always help others. It costs little and matters a lot. 10. You only need a couple of best friends. Quality > quantity. 11. Don't seek validation from society. You don't owe anyone an explanation. 12. Being a good human > being successful. Always. 13. Time is your most valuable resource. Use it intentionally. 14. Don't follow a mundane routine. Live like a lion. Obsess over things you want, go all in, go deep for a while - then rest, be lazy, and recover. 15. Curiosity + hard work beats talent. Every time. 16. Set out to do the impossible. Be an outlier and believe in yourself. It's okay if people think you're crazy. 17. Never do long-distance relationships. Trust me. 18. Your life isn't defined by the work you do, but by the relationships you build. 19. There are no shortcuts in life. Nothing meaningful comes easy and it's rarely fun if it does. 20. Manifestation works. Act like the future version of yourself. --- More essays by Ansh Chokshi: https://anshchokshi.com/llms.txt