Kids, enjoy your life. God knows, you only get one crack at it, and then before you know it (snap), it’s game over.

If you’re like me, you’ll get everything wrong. You’ll follow the wrong career, wrong ideas, wrong people, lose money. Don’t worry about it. Everyone gets it wrong. Mistakes are free. And chances are, if you haven’t thrown a wrench into your own plans, your parents already did this for you several years ago.

Go buy an ice cream sandwich, have a good cry, and try to be happy.

Because the truth is, being human hurts like hell. That’s not exactly something people talk about during graduation ceremonies, but it’s true. The moment you declare yourself an adult, you turn into a frightened coon—you might dodge the hunter a few times, but in the end, your tailsection becomes a hat.

Oh sure, I like inspirational speeches about success, fame, fortune, and how working hard pays off. Promises of how you’ll be rolling around in piles of cash if you think successful thoughts and say some trademarked magic words.

Well, permit me to give you my opinion:

Chicken fertilizer.

Life is not about fame and fortune. Some folks crave it, but some of the saddest people you’ll ever meet are successful ones. Don’t let that be you.

You were made to help.

I don’t give a blessed dipstick how you help, or when. Not as long as you realize this is why you have two hands and feet.

Listen, maybe you’re looking for a purpose in this world. Maybe you want to feel like you matter. Well, before you crack open any self-help books, or say any more prayers, shut your phone off and lend someone a hand.

Start with single mothers in parking lots, unable to load heavy bags of dog food into cars. Or old men in wheelchairs, who can’t trigger the supermarket sliding doors. Call your friend. Call your mama. Adopt a dog. Adopt a highway. Do something. Anything.

Help.

The thing is, I’m no different than you. I have no business telling you how to go about your life—I don’t even have my own figured out yet. But if you want to touch something bigger, if you want to know what it means to taste gladness, or understand this thing we call life, well then start right now.

To hell with success.

Go love someone.