Instructions for Life

I have a book of quotes a friend gave me a long time ago, and I continually add to it. I love quotes and sayings and things and there's a list she pasted in here called "Instructions for Life" with 45 rules? guidelines? suggestions? You decide and see how many you've accomplished or follow :D

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. (check - I work with kids..I'm ALWAYS cheerful!)

2. Memorize your favorite poem. (check - Emily Dickinson)

3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have, or loaf all you want.

4. When you say "I love you," mean it.

5. When you say "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married. (I definitely understand this one lol)

7. Believe in love at first sight.

8. Never laugh at any one's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

9. Love deeply and passionately. You may get hurt, but it's the only way to live life completely. (I believe that 100%)

10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name-calling.

11. Don't judge people by their relatives, or by the life they were born into.

12. Teach yourself to speak slowly but to think quickly.

13. When someone asks you a question you don't' want to answer, smile.

14. Take into account that great love and great achievement involve great risk.

15. Call your mother. (Definitely a check on this one, right mom?)

16. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze. (Check)

17. When you lose, don't lose the lesson. (I'm a sore loser, so that's sometimes hard)

18. Follow the three R's: Respect for self, Respect for others, Responsibility for all your actions.

19. Don't' let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

20. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

21. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice. (Another one I truly believe)

22. Marry a person you love to talk to. As you get older, his/her conversation skills will be even more important.

23. Spend some time alone. (Check)

24. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

25. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

26. Read more books. Television is not a substitute. (I think we all know this is a big CHECK for me!)

27. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

28. Trust in God, but lock your car.

29. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life. Do all you can to create a tranquil, harmonious home.

30. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

31. Don't just listen to what someone is saying. Listen to why they are saying it.

32. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality. (Somewhat of a check, not finished yet obviously :))

33. Be gentle with the earth.

34. Pray or meditate. There's immeasurable power in it. (Something I need to work on)

35. Never interrupt when you are being flattered.

36. Mind your own business. (Something I'm sure everyone needs to work on a bit)

37. Don't' trust anyone who doesn't close his/her eyes when you kiss. (So true)

38. Once a year, go some place you've never been before. (Think that's a pretty good check so far)

39. If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. It is wealth's greatest satisfaction.

40. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

41. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly. (:D:D)

42. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

43. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

44. Live with the knowledge that your character is your destiny.

45. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.