- Someone always has a better view. Don't chase someone else's view.
- Your observing skill and enthusiasm are more important than the equipment you use.
- Knowing a little about what you are looking at makes it much more interesting.
- A dark sky is better than a big telescope. (But a big telescope in a dark sky is heavenly.)
- The best telescope is the one you are currently looking through.
- You can adapt your observing to any level of light pollution, no matter how bad.
- Aperture rules...until the spine, the spouse, and the savings account have their say
- Non-astronomers LOVE lights at night.
- Never sell a telescope unless you really hate it or need the money to buy a different one. Or need to eat.
- Amateur astronomy is a hobby.
- Pursue your passion but remember your family and friends may not share it.
- Outreach is great but there's nothing wrong with observing by yourself.
- Get used to clouds. According to NASA Earth Observatory, only 30% of land on Earth is completely clear of clouds at any given time. Cherish those clear nights.
- Apropos of the above, always acquire any new deep sky observing gear after new moon.
- If I don't write it down, I'll forget, or "misremember," most of what I observe. That's why I keep an observing log.
- If you're not enjoying it, don't do it. Take a break and come back later. That might be 5 minutes or 10 years.
- You are not weird for being into astronomy. The rest of the world is weird for not being into it.
- Collimation is not a four letter word.
- Comfort is king.
- Dress warmer than you think you'll need to.
- The universe is really big. We are an incredibly miniscule and short-lived part of it, but we're still significant.
- Your time on Earth is limited. Make time for the people and things you love.
