In 2004, while travelling through California, I met the coolest man in the entire world. This meeting happened in the Mojave Desert, which is also a pretty cool place. The man’s name was John, which gives no indication of the depth of his awesomeness. But trust me, it was a thing to behold.
One afternoon, we were hanging out with a few people and some cold beer and I mentioned being worried about someone’s opinion of me. And John told me that when you got old (and he was kind of old), if you could look back and name six good friends, people who tried to understand you and you them, that was all that mattered.
After all, he said, when you’re dead, all you need is six people who don’t mind shouldering your coffin. So, keep those people close to you, treat their opinions with consideration, and as for the rest of them…
That summer, “Everyone but six”, became shorthand for “Do what you want and try not to let other people’s opinions matter too much.”
What can I say John? Thanks for the advice. I’m trying to live it.
