Recently, I saw something about a valuable life lesson- "you can't put toothpaste back into the tube." It was to teach young people about the power of things that cannot be undone once done, words that cannot be unsaid once said.

"Just like toothpaste, once they are out in the world, they can't be taken back."

A powerful message, one suitable for heedless youth who may do or say things they later regret.

Step 1: You CAN Put Toothpaste Back Into the Tube

But maybe that's not the lesson you need in life.

Maybe that's not the lesson YOU need in life.

Step 2: The Entropy of the Universe Tends Towards Maximum...

Turning and turning in the widening gyre

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity.

Step 3: ...but at a Local Level, It Can Be Reversed

As I write this, it is the year 2016. There is a robot on Mars. Humanity cured polio. I have a pocket computer that can translate nearly any language I come across to me faster than I can type it in.

With the right tools, and some hard work, and some patience- you can do almost anything.

Step 4: Success Is Never Guaranteed

It might be messy. Or frustrating. Or harder than you thought.

Or it might not. It might be easy. It might only take a few minutes.

But you won't know until you try, right?

Step 5: You Can Put Toothpaste Back Into the Tube

Some people say "If something is worth doing, then it is worth doing well." And they aren't wrong. But I think that frightens away others, who aren't prepared to commit to perfection. I like to say "If something is worth doing, then it is worth doing badly." The doing is the important part, not how well it was done.