Saturday 20 October 2012


Life’s Instructions

Edited by Sarah & Max
  1. Have a firm handshake. We agree; we both do. Bravo, us. 
  2. Look people in the eye. We both do. M: "Probably a little to long sometimes." Its true. My creepy man. 
  3. Sing in the shower. We actually don't do this often. Because we often shower together. Hey, saves water, right? 
  4. Own a great stereo system. *both turn to look at our cardboard stereo equipment* M: "Well, I think it's great...." (This is a lie. Its terrible. However, we both own nice headphones, which more than makes up for that. 
  5. If in a fight, hit first and hit hard. S: Well, that's not very nice. M: *play punches S* 
  6. Keep secrets. Whether we do or not will have to be a secret. 
  7. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday. 
  8. Always accept an outstretched hand. 
  9. Be brave. Even if you’re not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference. I like how this was said in We Bought a zoo: All you need is 20 seconds of incredible, insane, stupid bravery. 
  10. Whistle. We do, though S more often than M. My grandmother had a beautiful whistle, like a bird. She would whistle instead of sing. 
  11. Avoid sarcastic remarks. M: *Laughs* 
  12. Choose your life’s mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 per cent of all your happiness or misery. M: *puts his arm around me* I choose misery! 
  13. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out. This reminds me of this
  14. Lend only those books you never care to see again. Oh, so sad and so true. 
  15. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have. 
  16. When playing games with children, let them win. We disagree. Because if you follow rule 16....  rule 22 and 23 can suffer. 
  17. Give people a second chance, but not a third. S: "Hah! So, in direct contrast to rule 7, then?"
  18. Be romantic. *snuggle up to each other* 
  19. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. M: *laughs* "Sorry, lover, that's never going to happen to you!" Its sad, but its true.. 
  20. Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
  21. Don’t allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It’s there for our convenience, not the caller’s.
  22. Be a good loser.
  23. Be a good winner.
  24. Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret. Because rule 6. 
  25. When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
  26. Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
  27. Keep it simple. So don't have 50 rules when you could have 5. 
  28. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
  29. Don’t burn bridges. You’ll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
  30. Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets But do live it! Mistakes are part of life, and its the biggest mistake of them all to make none by doing nothing! 
  31. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did. Also, pretend you have more energy than you do. Most of the things I regret not doing I didn't do just because I didn't feel like getting up and going... 
  32. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them. I love you. 
  33. Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you. And keep in mind that it someone didn't make it, it's most often NOT their fault. 
  34. Take charge of your attitude. Don’t let someone else choose it for you.
  35. Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes.
  36. Begin each day with some of your favorite music. Ooh, I like this idea. 
  37. Once in a while, take the scenic route. But if you take it all the time, be sure you have enough time! And maybe buy a bicycle. 
  38. Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, ‘Someone who thinks you’re terrific.’ 
  39. Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice. People actually report that a phone call was a more positive experience if you smile while you talk. In other words, people can 'hear' your smile. 
  40. Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m.
  41. Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job. Or, you know, give everyone everywhere the benefit of basic human decency. Work shouldn't define respect. 
  42. Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later. 
  43. Make someone’s day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you. Also reminds me of pouring it forward. It's true, though. This can make your day and their day. 
  44. Become someone’s hero.
  45. Marry only for love. Or don't marry, if you don't want to. Or protest like heck for the right of everyone who is in love to marry. 
  46. Count your blessings.
  47. Compliment the meal when you’re a guest in someone’s home. Let's extend this to have basic manners, always. 
  48. Wave at the children on a school bus.
  49. Remember that 80 per cent of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people. Yeah, no. In jobs centered around people, sure. But not that much so in all jobs. Calm down. 
  50. Don’t expect life to be fair.

No comments:

Post a Comment