Written by Stan Webb© for Living In This World© - Rules For Life© and (linked to The Teen Between Twenty©)
Thank you to all of my family and friends who wished me a Happy Birthday! (66th - 2010, July 26th)
To celebrate another year in my life I list some of those things I have learned; many with great difficulty. Take them as recommendations if you wish, but most importantly learn to laugh, learn to learn and learn to be thankful:
Agree to disagree. You don't have to win every argument.
Allow yourself little vices. 'When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.'
Bad or good, no matter how a situation is, it will change.
Be ambidextrous (use both hands, interchangeably). When one gets tired, use the other. You will be surprised how age, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (more information from Wikipedia and AAFP – American Academy of Family Physicians) and wasted ligaments will catch up to an aging you. Nine flexor tendons and the median nerve pass through the carpal tunnel, an anatomical compartment located at the base of the wrist.
Be caring; not indifferent.
Be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains.
Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to share your 'child within'. It may be too late.
Be faithful.
Be flexible.
Be grateful. Don't complain and grumble. Resist boring people with your troubles.
Be helpful to one another.
Be honest.
Be kind.
Be patient.
Be peaceful in your heart, mind and soul. Think about all of your emotions – but be self-aware: body, mind, spirit.
Be prepared. Plan ahead.
Be selfless - not selfish.
Be truthful. Reputations are important. What other people think of you is part of your business.
Believe in miracles.
Breath deeply - it calms the mind.
Beauty, joy and usefulness are important; get rid of anything that doesn’t bring you these!
The best is yet to come.
The brain is the most important sex organ.
Change is natural. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; never blink.
Children can see you cry! It's OK, in fact necessary, as they need to learn that life can also be sad.
Children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
Childhood, however, can be relived within you. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. The second one is up to you and no one else.
Choose life over death – or worse yet, apathy.
Commitments should be keep. Turn up for meetings, for service and to help one another;
Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
Don't drink too much alcohol, or use anything that detracts from clear thinking!
Don't dwell on the past. Make peace within yourself it so it won't screw up the present.
Don't gossip.
Don't smoke!
Don't take yourself too seriously; no one else does.
Don't think about your problems too much. If we saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
Don't watch life pass you by. Show up and make the most of it, now.
Envy and jealousy are a waste of time. You already have all you need. Walk in your own shoes. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea about their journey.
Exercise regularly. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
Feel bad? No matter, get up, dress up and show up.
Frame every so-called problem with these words: "In three years, will this matter?"
Friends will take care of you when you are sick. Your job won't. Stay in touch with friends.
Give respectfully.
Go after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
Growing old is better than the alternative - dying young.
Happiness (or not) is for you to choose. No one else is in charge of your happiness except you.
Help one another.
If in doubt, just start out the door, leading with your left foot.
If it doesn't kill you, whatever it is really does make you stronger.
If you don't ask, you don't get.
In the end, all that truly matters is that you are loved.
It's OK to get angry with yourself. You can take it.
Life is too short; don't waste time hating anyone or anything. It's too short for self-pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying. Realize that life might not be fair, but it is the better of the other alternative (death).
Life isn't tied with a bow, however it is still a gift.
Love one another. Love yourself because of who you are, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
Money borrowed is often money lost. Pay off your credit cards every month. Money saved is money earned. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
Receive respectfully.
Relationships that have to be keep a secret should not include yours.
Speak clearly and concisely. Engage your brain before engaging your tongue.
Take criticism and blame without resentment.
Take time for family, friends and each other.
Time heals all wounds, indeed, almost everything. Give time time.
Type accurately and fast (keyboard skills). Learn to 'touch-type'. Practice, Practice. Internet skills are important. You'll learn more in a month on the Web than spending 5 years in school.
Use the good dishes, burn the candles, put out the best linen. Don't save them for a special occasion. Today is a special occasion.
Work hard at whatever you do. Over prepare, then go with the flow. Work at it! You can get through anything if you stay with it minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour and day-by-day.
Writers write. If you want to be a writer, write.
