Reputation

Sticking to basic principles (my own, no one else's), trying really hard not to fuck people over (sometimes failing), following my heart (sometimes when I shouldn't) and keeping my head down and working like a demon (even when there's no client work to be had) has translated into the grown-ups actually recommending my services and coming to me for advice.

Friendship

Though they're becoming fewer and farther between, the friendships in my life are the best, most rewarding, loving and reciprocal than at any other time I can remember.

Foresight

Western society is cruel to the elderly, so it's time to look ahead 30 years and put together my own pension. If you think that Social Security will be available to you (or sufficient enough to survive without eating cat food) by the time you retire, you're an idiot.

Arrogance

I don't give a fuck what you think about who or what I am. It doesn't matter anymore.

Confidence

See above. "I'm smart enough to know you have no use for me... sure enough to know you will, someday."

Boredom

No, I don't want to try that new (fill in the mindless pursuit of your choice) you've just discovered 20 years after I discovered it and 40 years after she discovered it and 60 years...

Intrigue

You'd be amazed at the crap you find out about people and their pathetic assumptions just by keeping your mouth shut at the right times (and the rumors that fly about you after a well placed observation at others).

Mystery

Think about it. 40+ years of experience in my head for me to share... if and when I choose to. It would take a lifetime to peel those layers.

Sex

See above. PS: I'm just beginning a 15-year sexual peak. Daddy is a lucky, lucky man.

Revelation

It's ALWAYS personal. Happiness requires action. I deserve to be cherished. They always come back. People are stupid. If you have more friends than you can count on one hand, you're deluding yourself. The middle class in any country are racist, greedy, xenophobic, mysogynistic, homophobic drones... and they're breeding. Gratitude lasts 17 seconds. Get your money up front; if they won't pay you up front, they were never going to pay you in the first place. The customer is not always right. Burn those fucking bridges; you can always build new ones going where you want them to go. If you have bad sex, it's because you didn't really want it in the first place. If they don't treat you with respect, cut them out of your life. If your family weren't your family, would you choose to spend time with them, anyway? Just because you can, it doesn't mean you should. No one is looking out for your best interests. Some places really are bad. Some people don't want you to love them. If someone is friendly, it doesn't mean s/he'll ever be your friend. Chanting "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" works. Never trust anyone who doesn't like cats.

Learning

Pay the man before he wipes the sweat from his brow [Islam]. The human revolution happens one human at a time [Nichiren Shoshu].

The Rest

I don't know, yet. I'm only 40.