I'll have to give this a dedicated/contemplative listen when I can soak it up.  I've heard great things about Lupe Fiasco (wife is a big fan) but never gave him any time.

I wish I had known as a younger man that the friend and associates you want will be found while you're making yourself a better man, instead of spending any time pursuing associates for the sake of. 

 I try to remind my children all the time that they deserve to spend their youth focusing on themselves and positioning for a better future. I have to remind them to drown out the unnecessary drama, but of course when you're younger the drama going on around you has a serious gravitational pull.  

 Ya it's so hard.  My son is too young to be troubled by this yet but I think about how inevitable it is because he is such a deep feeler with a big personality, he's going to be out there with people and it's dangerous out there.  That said, getting your heart broken by friends and girlfriends, etc., a few times is really character buillding. 

 Very much so.  Right now I'm betting 1.000 when it comes to telling my 16 year old daughter that the boy drama and friend drama isn't worthwhile. At times I have to passionately tell her " Please you have to trust me on this it's not worthwhile" 😂 Usually days later she will come back like " Dad you were so right such a waste of time" 

 Ya, the emotions are so strong it's near impossible to shake the feeling that "this moment is important, and existential" but when the feeling falls away it's good to have a strong father around to remind you that you didn't make a mistake in caring and shouldn't be embarressed by it, but always move forward. 

 🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡