The older we get, the harder it is for some of us guys to resist the urge to give advice.

At some age, that morphs into wanting to share every compelling theory or assertion we come across on the Internet, even if we've sent it to 7,103 people six times already. I'm not there yet, but here are a few wide-ranging sprigs of advice - some of which I've actually taken:

* Having seen in my jobs that sign shops, newspapers and other places that deal with the written word inevitably attract a certain number of folks more artistic than linguistic, I suggest you buy your own tombstone early in life, just so it has your name spelled correctly. (Of course, if you joke about someone else's print-related misteaks, the speling trolls will get revinge on yuu.)

* Carry a flashlight in your pocket or purse.

It's handy for everything from reading menus in dim restaurants to finding the facilities when the electricity goes out to finding a tiny object you've dropped on carpet. (Hold the light at floor level so the object will cast a long, thin shadow.)

* Keep some phone numbers on paper in your wallet. Hell hath no despair like that of losing one's cell phone far from home and not knowing how to reach anyone.

* Have sympathy for complainers. Age and infirmity, especially, can limit one's world so much that what would be an insignificant irritation in your world is a crisis in theirs.

* On the other hand, don't put too much energy into people who can't stand their circumstances but who have an excuse for every suggestion for bettering them.

* To keep from complaining more than doing, read - or reread - "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson, M.D.

* "Defensive driving" has taken on whole new levels of meaning since the advent of having to watch out for other drivers who may be texting.

* Many a person has been burned by the advice, "Just listen to your heart."

* Along that line, never date anyone you wouldn't want your family to know.

* Duct tape offers many utilities even to amateurs, but using it restrain unruly kids or repair publicly visible butt cracks probably should be left to experts.

* Live on less than you earn. Really.

* It takes twice as many muscles to frown as to smile, but sometimes a frown is worth the extra effort.

* Only believe half of what you hear. The hard part is figuring out which half.

* Believe both of these, 'cause God ain't no fool: "Consider the lilies" and "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways."

* Prioritize.

* Start.

* Finish.

Contact Daily Journal Oxford Bureau reporter Errol Castens at errol.castens@journalinc.com.