Congratulations Class of 2019!

It’s that time of the year once again. The time when we force our youngsters to wear caps and gowns, make them march in one last line and regale them with sage advice on life after high school.

Several years ago, I was honored to be invited to give the commencement address at Moriarty High School. At the time, I had lamented in my newspaper column that no one would invite me to speak, and then someone did. That meant I had to come up with something, and I only had a year to write it.

Actually, I had written what I spoke about years before and I repeated the column every year, adding what I had thought about in the intervening year. Here is what it takes to find success, no matter how you define it (for those who care, you can see the speech here, I'm at the 1:18 mark):

Take care of your teeth. Always pee before you leave. Make sure you know where your keys are before you lock a door. Give the benefit of the doubt. Call out liars on their lies, but let little white lies slip.

Learn to make a meal and learn how to make comfort food.

Always remember — righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.

Eat your veggies and drink plenty of water.

Buy shoes in the afternoon and never shop for groceries on an empty stomach. Learn to keep a budget. Save money. Realize that being a friend means you put someone else’s needs before your own. Learn at least one joke and how to tell it well.

Sing in the shower. Don’t be afraid to admit ignorance and don’t be too proud to ask for help. Own a suit and at least one pair of black shoes and matching belt.

Listen. Ask questions. Never assume. Mind your manners.

Learn how to tie a tie and shine your shoes. Learn how to adjust a bra properly.

Value time alone. Keep your mind active and your body strong. Cut yourself a break and keep in mind that no one looks like a movie star — even movie stars.

Worry about your own life and don’t get bogged down in jealousy. Call your parents just to say hello. Buy a round from time to time. Give gifts that come from your heart. Never fake love.

Live, love and work with passion, no matter how tedious it may seem. Be creative. Keep your bathroom clean. Remember where you parked your car. Drive a friend to the airport. Help someone move, but only for beer and pizza.

Keep promises. Only lend something with the idea that you will never see it again.

Own a flashlight, a pair of pliers and a screwdriver. Read the instructions. Own a pet. Don’t keep score. Lose and win with grace and humility. Go for a walk. Get a library card.

Sleep under the stars and always offer up the last cookie. Change the toilet paper roll. Don’t leave a mess for someone else to clean. Don’t hurt anyone. Smile. Laugh. Cry.

Write a letter, read a newspaper. Develop expensive tastes, even if you don’t have money. Do your job well. Water the plants. Learn to win at Monopoly. Learn to lose at Monopoly, especially to a child.

Write a poem, share your ice cream and wear a jacket. Buy a new ice scraper every September. Keep someone warm. Don’t be ashamed of who you are. Dance like no one is looking and blow bubbles. Drive with the top down. Be responsible.

Put the milk back in the refrigerator and squeeze the toothpaste tube from the bottom. Buy low and sell high.

Be on time, don’t talk with your mouth full and most importantly — treat others as you want to be treated.

Good luck graduating class and congratulations!