David Lyman, born in 1936, is approaching his 90s. David is Chairman and Chief Values Officer of Southeast Asian law firm Tilleke & Gibbins, Thailand’s oldest law firm. David is still going strong – and looks back on an eventful life. He shares some valuable lessons learned along his long way. David’s Life’s Lessons are like a manual for good, responsible living – and how to age with integrity, dignity and style.

In 1947, David had moved to Thailand with his parents. After joining the U.S. Navy, he returned to Thailand in 1967, where he remained ever since and became an icon of the Thai legal market. David is an authority in the kingdom, well-decorated with awards and widely respected. He has always been an advocate for justice. Today, David is first and foremost an advocate for life. How to live life responsibly and respectfully, without causing harm.

Over his many years on this planet, David collected these lessons which his long life has taught him. “To this day, I have never stopped learning,” David says. “The life lessons are realism learned from personal experience, tempered with idealism. I hope you, the reader, will find these lessons valuable insights, and that they are applicable in and to your life. You too, have and will learn your own life’s lessons.”

David’s Life’s Lessons Learned should be compulsory reading, for anyone. These lessons are also a cry for help, to save all life on this our beautiful planet:

• Like it or not, in this 21st century, a transformation, the so-called “New Normal,” is upon us. Transformation will continue to evolve throughout the days ahead. Do not ignore what is happening. However, do not be afraid. Do not panic. You can and you will learn to control the impact of transformation. Adapt. Learn not just to live with it, but how to apply and use it for your benefit.

• You have a brain. Use it! Think.

• Get education – formal and otherwise. Never stop learning and seeking knowledge.

• Master your own language. Learn others, if you can.

• Be curious, be aware, be alert. Realize, recognize and register what is happening to and around you.

• Never assume. Keep an open mind. Get the facts. I repeat, get the facts. Be practical. Be sensible. Be safe. Be fair. Be flexible. Think.

• Believe in yourself. Rely on your experiences, both the good ones and the not-so-good ones. Take risks. Do not be afraid to fail. We all fail at times, so we learn our lessons, move on and start again. As to tasks and attitudes – if you think you cannot, then you cannot. But – if you think you can, then you can.

• Never give up. Accept that change is constant.

• Don’t hesitate or be reluctant or afraid to ask for help, advice or directions.

• Civilization being what it is, obviously we do not live in an ideal world. So I committed myself to defend and promote truth and objective morals and values, standards, virtues, fairness, reason, ethics and the rule of law.

• Be a force for good. Stand up for what is right.

• To the extent to which you can – and are capable of –, work to defeat falsehoods, misinformation, disinformation, unfairness, lies, greed, corruption, crimes, evils, turmoil, war, immorality and abuse of yourself and others. It isn’t easy to do. But try.

• Never lose your sense of humor. Nurture it. Enjoy satire. Laugh at and about yourself, at the absurd, the ridiculous, the difficult, the far out. Humor is cathartic. Laughter is medicinal – very beneficial for your health.

• Develop, hone, use and rely on all your 5+ senses.

• Perfect your intuition. Sometimes, you have to go with your gut feeling (and hope that you made the right decision). If you make a mistake, admit it, learn from it and proceed anew.

• If time allows – it is always better to get a second opinion.

• It always helps to be in the right place at the right time with the right resources. If not, then improvise and make do.

• Sometimes, it’s not just what you know but also, who you know.

• Shaking hands – use a strong grip and look the other person in their eyes.

• An old adage from my U.S. Navy days: If it moves, and it should not, not apply duct tape (and nowadays, there is duper glue). If it does not move, and it should, apply WD-40 Contact Cleaner.

• Learn how to survive. Learn first aid. Learn how to float and to swim. Learn how to fight fires. Learn self-defense. Learn how and where to find a way out of an untenable situation, even if you have to go backwards to where you came from.

• Another U.S. Navy adage, past and present: Everything has its place and everything belongs in its place. That way you can always find it when you want it. Thus, things don’t get lost. They just get misplaced.

• Back up your computers, tablets and mobile phones every day. Today, there is no privacy, no secrets, no hiding. Cyberattacks are becoming all too common.

• Read, follow and obey all signs both indoors and outdoors, and remember.

• Read voraciously – everything about everything, because you can never have enough knowledge. Remember and apply what and where and how and who and why, and when you can. History and science have many, many lessons to teach us. Learn them and learn from them.

• Things happen. So expect the unexpected. Be prepared. Have a plan b, maybe even a plan c. Innovate.

• Life is full of should-haves… could-haves… would-haves. That’s life, so don’t lament.

• “The most important things in life you can’t see – honesty, duty, honor, integrity, loyalty, humility.” (James Tatum)

• “What you need most to learn can’t be taught.”

• Know that “The only way to get experience is to get experience – there is no substitute or shortcut.” (Dr. Sandy Schwartz)

• “Common sense is not so common.” (Voltaire)

• An organizational axiom to limit disruption: “In an organization, 2 1/2 people should be trained for every job – 1 primary, 1 backup and 1 in training.” (Albert Lyman, my father)

• The next time someone needs you, just be there. Stay.

• When entrusted with a secret, keep it.

• Listening is a blessing, a charm – one of the best forms of communication.

• Enjoy and appreciate a good story well told.

• The three most important words in life are “please” and “thank you.”

• Chocolate? Yes. Ice cream? Yes. Absolutely, unless you are lactose intolerant.

• Financially, be generous, but save for those unexpected emergencies.

• “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” (Ronald Reagan)

• “Life always offers a second chance. It’s called ‘tomorrow’.” (Dylan Thomas)

• Say something wonderful today.

• Do something wonderful today for someone.

• Keywords for married folks: “Yes, dear.” (A lesson learned, finally)

• Love – it works.

• Music, dance and the arts – are pleasing to the senses. And comforting for the soul and peace of mind.

• Learn how to make a good cup of coffee and of tea.

• Practice proper table manners.

• Learn how to ride a bicycle and drive vehicles, safely.

• Should you need reminding, your parents can be among your best friends.

• Be mindful of the concept of stewardship – people work with you, not for you.

• Give credit. Take the blame.

• After writing an angry message, read it carefully. Then, don’t send it. Delete it.

• Focus on job satisfaction, not just the money.

• Be an agent of change. Have faith and courage. Believe in age proven traditions and ideals as a basis for change.

• Respect everyone. Be gracious. Empathy is a virtue.

• The little things that you do for people matter. They remember them.

• Leadership – is an art, the purpose of which is to be a catalyst to influence people to follow a course of action to accomplish a mission, an objective or a goal.

• Leaders are made, not born (though some people adapt to leadership roles more easily than others do).

• To differentiate, leaders lead people. Managers manage things and events.

• Keep your head up, stand straight and tall, stop bowing your head and looking at your mobile phone all the time.

• Race, gender, religion, culture ethnicity, class, nationality are not negatives nor weaknesses. They are egality and borne of civilization, on a par with the best.

• Experience the serenity of traveling alone.

• Do no harm.

• Be kind and considerate to all creatures of all species. Help them. Save them. Protect them.

• Think about it: All life, of all forms, kinds and descriptions, whatever species, wild and domestic, animals or plants, whether fungi, conifers, whatever classification, family, order and genus, whether they walk, crawl, fly, swim or grow in or on the ground, all want to live. All endeavor to survive. Respect life.

• Observe and absorb how life forms communicate with one another of the same, and even different species. How they help nurture one another to survive. How they enjoy their quality of life to spite their vulnerability.

• Left on its own, nature survives, thrives, grows, dies and is reborn. When left alone, nature seeks to return to and to exist in balance. The balance of nature is the wonderland.

• However, when the environment is out of balance, as it is now, due to mankind’s developments and thirsts, we have climate change, weather predicaments, global warming, pandemics, waste and plastic pollution, arctic melting, oceans rising, food insecurity, fresh water shortages, extinction of species, humankind suffering hunger and degradation, destruction of the forests and pollution of the soils, the fresh water resources, the seas and the air.

• Hence, a caveat and our ultimate challenger: Respect Mother Nature and learn from and about her. React to recognize and admit to what has and is happening in and to nature across the earth. I beseech you to believe me. Now we must all dedicate our souls to save nature from further tragedy and decay and degradation, for if not, the consequences for all life on this planet are frightening.

• Be passionate as a force for good.

• We take our time on earth. Spend it well.

• Time is our ultimate luxury. Ask yourself: “How many weekends do I have left?” Then…

• Keep your feet warm. They are your thermostats.

• Focus on doing whatever you have to do to stay healthy and active, physically, emotionally, medically and mentally, regardless of your condition, age or sex.

• Sleep. You cannot lead a full life without a sufficient quality and quantity of repose.

• Oh – take the time to exercise regularly, drink plenty of water, eat right and follow these above listed Lessons Learned fur sustained good health.

• Wisdom. Courage. Know that Don Quixote (Man of La Mancha) lives. Who is he? Look him up. The quest? Alas, is his “The Impossible Dream” becoming a reality or is it still just a dream?

• Ask yourself: What do you want as your legacies? These Lessons Learned are among mine.

• Last but not least: My admonition not to pass up the opportunity to use the nearest bathroom.

P.S. I recommend each reader to visit and absorb the wisdom of Lakota Code of Ethics.