Did I ever tell you about the time my dad took his medication on an empty stomach and started hallucinating? Oh yes, it happened! One moment, everything was normal; the next, he was convinced the TV was about to stage a dramatic escape from its stand. Let me tell you, if there’s one thing life teaches you in moments like these, it’s this: shortcuts do not work.

I call this one: “Do Not Take Shortcuts in Life”—a story of medication, life lessons, and why you should always read the instructions on the label (and in life).