Old school here. I had two homosexual relationships before I made my late twenties, but they were more of the "affair" variety. I just feel lucky I found where my truest, happiest, loving, most creative sexuality lay, and then stumbled into a relationship with the person who would, years later get herself pierced as requested for my birthday.

Best advice for right now from many miles down the road: My absolute deepest regrets are sins of omission, not commission. IOW, the things I had a chance to think about, and then still made the wrong decision to NOT do something that would have been life-altering in one major aspect or another.

Life is an illusion. Life is a game. Life is a mystery. All correct. But it can be a damned painful illusion as we try to find the correct path. There are those who would cause you pain heedlessly. The people who share our joy enrich our lives. Desiderata.

We all get to live our lives in accordance with how we perceive the universe, and how deeply we hew to our insignificant place in it. I guess Neil Peart's words and Geddy Lee's voice express it best.

Dare to be outrageous. Live life like each day was the last. Find your 5000 (spirits like to reincarnate in that number. IDK, but if you think about how many people there are involved with you, from the clerk at the local store you become involved in the life of for about three years, or your favorite teacher, relative, friend, stranger-but-I-feel-like-we-are-married-Oh-MY-GOD...),all those people are in your "5000". Some remain closer than others, I suspect, but have no evidence, other than this book and some other readings.

Think before you act, but don't over-think life. No one outwits fate.