Monday, June 21, 2010

First Day of Summer-Good time for Life Instructions!


Not sure who was the original source of these, though many of them have been attributed to the Dalai Lama. Regardless, I have had them printed out in color on my fridge ever since a friend forwarded them to me last summer. The first day of summer seems like the perfect time to share them. Like a mid-year musing on New Year's resolutions past and future...

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
2. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
3. Don’t believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep 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.
7. Believe in love at first sight.
8. Never laugh at anyone’s dreams. People who don’t have dreams don’t have much.
9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it’s the only way to live life completely.
10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
11. Don’t judge people by their relatives.
12. Talk slowly, but think quickly.
13. When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, smile and ask, “Why do you want to know?”
14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
15. Say “bless you” when you hear someone sneeze.
16. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
17. Remember the three R’s: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
18. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
19. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
20. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
21. Spend some time alone.
22. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
23. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
24. Read more books and watch less TV.
25. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll get to enjoy it a second time.
26. Trust in God, but lock your car.
27. Create a loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.
28. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
29. Read between the lines.
30. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
31. Be gentle with the earth.
32. Pray. There’s immeasurable power in it.
33. Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
34. Mind your own business.
35. Don’t trust a man/woman who doesn’t close his/her eyes when you kiss.
36. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
37. If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth’s greatest satisfaction.
38. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
39. Learn the rules then break some.
40. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
41. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
42. Remember that your character is your destiny.

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16 comments:

  1. Hard to decide which is my favorite on this list, there are so many good lessons here.
    Belated visit from the LBS tea party social.
    ~Emily @RandomRecycling

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  2. Gretchen, These are wonderful! I'm going to copy and print them, them post them on the fridge!

    Thanks for stopping by and following Living Through It.

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  3. This is a great list. Might have to put it on my fridge too. Thanks for visiting.

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  4. Lots of great lessons in that list. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Hi there! You've got a really great blog here! I'm following you now from Follow Me Tuesday. If you get a chance, please follow me too at:

    http://www.mommylivingthelifeofriley.com

    Have a great day!

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  6. New follower from TTA - hope to see you at Dropped Stitches!

    xo Erin

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  7. Great lessons. Wonderful post. Have a great week.

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  8. I'm a new follower from Tuesday Tag-Along.
    I hope you'll come check me out at PS Mom Reviews and follow me too!

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  9. love this! thanks for sharing:)

    i am your newest follower!!

    -Lindsey@thelovelypaperblog
    http://lovelypapershop.blogspot.com/

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  10. I forgot to say how sorry I am about your dad. Father's Day must have been hard. I will be thinking about you.

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  11. Dropping by from 40 and Over Follow Friday...

    Such wonderful words to hold to one's heart. Thank you for such a wonderful reminder! :-)

    I'm among your newest followers and would love to have you drop by at Hiccups In Time sometime.

    Hope you have a GREAT weekend!

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  12. That is a wonderful list!
    Found you through "Over 40 Friday Follow" and I'm following your blog!
    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  13. Love this list...lots to think about! I found your blog through the 40 and over Friday Follow, which I have never done but am finding lots of fun new blogs to follow!

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  14. I just found you from Never Growing Old's Over 40 Blog Hop. I'm enjoying visiting your blog.
    Nancy
    http://www.howtohomemaker.com/

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  15. "Remember that your character is your destiny" This would have to be my most favorite one!

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